Apple’s Musical Empire: 60 Million Subscribers or More?
Apple turned the spotlight on its music‑streaming arm Thursday, revealing that Apple Music now boasts a whopping 60 million subscribers. That’s a nice chunk of the music market, but it’s still playing second fiddle to Spotify’s golden‑ticket count of 100 million premium users.
What the Numbers Actually Say
- Apple Music’s roster – 60 million total, including folks on a free trial; Apple hasn’t shared fresh stats since the 2018 hit of 50 million.
- Spotify’s figure – 100 million premium subscribers. This roll‑up counts people who have started a paid trial if they’ve linked a payment method.
- Adding the ad‑supported audience, Spotify stretches to 217 million users worldwide.
Behind the Numbers
Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, spilled the beans over in a chat with French tech media Numerama in Paris. While Apple’s numbers stick mostly to the paid side of the bar, Spotify gives the green light to ALL listeners in its cumulative tally.
The Legal Beat
It’s not just a numbers game. Apple and Spotify are locked in a competitive battle that’s spilling into courts. Spotify filed a formal complaint with European regulators back in March, pitting the two giants against each other on antitrust grounds.
So there you have it: Apple’s 60 million club is growing, but Spotify’s 100 million premium legion is still the leader of the pack. The dance of the dashboards continues, and with every new subscriber, the music battle gets louder.
