Apple announces Apple Music Radio

Apple Music 1 and two new stations, Apple Music Hits & Apple Music Country, feature exclusive original shows from the world's top music hosts and artists

Apple, on Tuesday, announced two new live global radio offerings on Apple Music, now available to music fans in 165 countries. Beginning today, Beats 1, the flagship global radio station, will be renamed Apple Music 1; and two additional radio stations will launch: Apple Music Hits, celebrating everyone's favorite songs from the ’80s, ’90s and 2000s, and Apple Music Country, spotlighting country music.

A press release said, “Since Apple Music's launch in 2015, Beats 1 has grown into one of the most-listened-to radio stations in the world, consistently delivering the best in-depth artist interviews, more global exclusives and premieres than anywhere else, and unique programming that produces culture-moving, news-making moments year after year. Throughout its evolution, Beats 1 has established an inherent camaraderie with the artist community and championed human curation and discovery – an approach that will continue across the three stations.”

"For the past five years, if ever there was a meaningful moment in music culture, Beats 1 was there bringing human curation to the forefront and drawing in listeners with exclusive shows from some of the most innovative, respected and beloved people in music," said Oliver Schusser, vice president of Apple Music, Beats, and international content. "Now, Apple Music radio provides an unparalleled global platform for artists across all genres to talk about, create and share music with their fans, and this is just the beginning. We will continue to invest in live radio and create opportunities for listeners around the world to connect with the music they love."

Beats 1 Now Renamed Apple Music 1

With state-of-the-art studios in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville and London, Apple Music 1 is a center for pop culture conversation and artist-led programming, and a global destination for artists from around the world to release new music, break news and speak directly to their fans. Apple Music 1 is led by cornerstone presenters Zane Lowe, Ebro Darden, Brooke Reese, Dotty, Hanuman Welch, Matt Wilkinson, Nadeska, Rebecca Judd and Travis Mills, and offers a lineup of shows from the biggest names in music, including Action Bronson, Billie Eilish, Elton John, Joe Kay, Lil Wayne, Frank Ocean, Vince Staples, and The Weeknd, as well as new shows from Aitch, Kerwin Frost, HAIM, Lady Gaga, Nile Rodgers, Travis Scott and Young M.A.

Apple Music 1 also features several shows dedicated to celebrating the vibrancy of Latin music around the world, including a new show from J Balvin and listener favorites "¡Dale Play! with Sandra Peña" and "La Fórmula Radio with El Guru." The station is also home to "Africa Now Radio with Cuppy," showcasing the very best local African music and artists.

"Apple Music is home – it's home to artists, it's home to fans, and it's home to incredible music," said Lowe, Apple Music's global creative director and host. "I'm an obsessive music nerd. I love searching for the most exciting new artists and playing them right alongside the most essential, established artists of our time, because great music does not know the difference, and Apple Music fans just want to hear great music. That's what Apple Music radio is all about."

Introducing Apple Music Hits

Apple Music Hits offers a full catalog of the biggest songs fans know and love from the ’80s, ’90s and 2000s. The station features new shows from notable artists and hosts, connecting listeners with the stories behind the most popular songs in the world.

Apple Music Hits will be helmed by daily on-air hosts Jayde Donovan, Estelle, Lowkey, Jenn Marino, Sabi, Nicole Sky and Natalie Sky, George Stroumboulopoulos ("House of Strombo"), along with special shows from Ari Melber and others. Fans can also tune in to hear new exclusive shows from artists such as Backstreet Boys, Ciara, Mark Hoppus, Huey Lewis, Alanis Morissette, Snoop Dogg, Meghan Trainor and Shania Twain.

Introducing Apple Music Country

Radio is part of the fabric of country music culture, and Apple Music Country amplifies that experience for the modern fan. As country music evolves and expands around the world, Apple Music Country aims to be the definitive place for every lane of an increasingly diverse genre. The station offers a mix of the best music of today while introducing fans to the stars of tomorrow and reminding them of the legendary artists and tracks that have shaped and defined country music along the way.

Apple Music Country's talent roster boasts a wide range of country's most exciting voices, including daily on-air hosts Kelleigh Bannen, Ty Bentli, Bree, Alecia Davis, Ward Guenther, Nada, and Tiera, plus weekly shows from Ashley Eicher and Kelly McCartney. Fans can also enjoy new exclusive shows from artists Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, BRELAND, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Morgan Evans, Florida Georgia Line, Pat Green, Willie Jones, Chrissy Metz, Midland, Rissi Palmer, The Shires, Carrie Underwood and Morgan Wallen, alongside exclusive shows from legendary producers and songwriters Dave Cobb, Jesse Frasure and Luke Laird, and journalist Hunter Kelly.

Fans can enjoy Apple Music radio wherever they listen to Apple Music, including iPhone, iPad, iPod, CarPlay, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Mac, HomePod and on the web at music.apple.com. They can also ask Siri to play "Apple Music 1," "Apple Music Hits" or "Apple Music Country."