Apple Music hooks 11 million trial members

Apple Inc said on Thursday its new music streaming service has attracted more than 11 million members during its free trial period, a response that music industry experts called respectable but not overwhelming.

Apple Music rolled out with a three-month free trial period on June 30. Nearly 2 million people opted for the free trial family plan, which will cost $14.99 a month for up to six family members, the company said. The service costs $9.99 a month for individuals.

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Apple's iTunes Store helped revitalize the music industry a decade ago, but digital downloads have slumped in recent years amid a shift toward streaming. Unlike popular streaming services from rivals such as Spotify, Apple's offering does not include a free on-demand tier, a decision praised by some in the music industry.

Based on typical conversion rates in the industry, it would be impressive if Apple convinced 20 percent of

Apple's initial base of users speaks to the continued demand for music streaming services, said Tyler Goldman, CEO, North America, of music streaming company Deezer. But while Apple Music includes some interesting features, such as a global radio station, the package fails to offer enough differentiation from rival services to attract a disproportionate share of the market, he said.


Apple also said on Thursday that its App Store attracted the largest-ever number of customers in July, yielding $1.7 billion in transactions.