Apple on Monday announced the launch of iTunes Radio in Australia. The free ad-supported service offers streaming music via iDevices and iTunes, with a Pandora-like selection process. Users can choose the genre or group of artists they want to hear, but cannot select or replay individual tracks.
iTunes Radio launched in the U.S. on September 18, 2013 alongside the public release of iOS 7. Licensing restrictions limited the service to the U.S. upon launch, although sources report that Apple had plans to expand it to the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia in early 2014. With today’s expansion to Australia, Apple has implement the first part of those reported plans.
iTunes Radio is free with an ad-supported model for all iOS 7 and iTunes 11 users. Users who subscribe to the company’s iTunes Match service can enjoy iTunes Radio ad-free. The cost for iTunes Match in the U.S. is $25 per year; according to Apple’s press release, the cost in Australia will be AU$35.
