What’s going on between Apple and TIDAL?
Nearly three months after rumored talks about acquiring TIDAL, Apple Music head Jimmy Iovine shuts it all down.
“We’re really running our own race,” Iovine told BuzzFeed. “We’re not looking to acquire any streaming services.”
Although Iovine did not deny that such talks took place, he made it clear that no deal is imminent, according to the report.
Apple, TIDAL, and Spotify are at odds in a streaming war over subscribers. Spotify is currently winning that battle with 40 million while Apple has 17 million and TIDAL has 4.2 mill.
TIDAL is also going through a rough patch despite its exclusivity with Kanye West, Rihanna, and Beyoncé, among others. Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Jay Z’s company suffered a net loss of $28 million in 2015.
In July, Kanye — who is reportedly working on a joint album with Apple affiliate Drake — told Apple to give Jay Z his money for TIDAL.
“This Tidal Apple beef is fucking up the music game,” he said. “Apple give Jay his check for Tidal now and stop trying to act like you Steve.”