On June 30, 2015, Apple introduced Apple Music 1, originally known as Beats 1, marking a significant expansion in its music streaming service. This 24/7 global radio station showcases renowned DJs and musical talents, featuring prominent personalities like Zane Lowe, who previously worked with BBC, as well as popular artists such as Lil Wayne. Apple touted Apple Music 1 as “the biggest radio station in the world,” although some critics questioned the credibility of this claim due to a lack of concrete listener statistics. The genesis of Beats 1 can be traced back to Apple’s acquisition of Beats in 2014 for $3 billion, which provided the company with a music brand and technology that laid the foundation for Apple Music.

Zane Lowe later revealed that the team had a mere three months to develop Beats 1 from the ground up. Unlike Apple Music, this station was accessible to everyone without a subscription, theoretically allowing for a broader audience, although Apple never disclosed specific listener numbers. In 2020, the company rebranded Beats 1 as Apple Music 1 and introduced two additional radio stations: Apple Music Hits and Apple Music Country. Subsequently, in December 2024, Apple added three more free stations, including Apple Música Uno, Apple Music Club, and Apple Music Chill.

As of June 2025, Apple Music features a total of six global radio stations, offering diverse content ranging from interviews to exclusive shows. Despite the significant role these radio stations play in Apple Music, the company has been relatively low-key in promoting them. While Apple Music’s main station continues to attract noteworthy guests and hosts, particularly in hip-hop, the emphasis on radio as a distinctive feature appears to have waned over time.