Apple reportedly expanding iTunes Radio to UK by 'early 2014' - CNET

Apple is working to expand its iTunes Radio service to the United Kingdom and Canada by early 2014, sources told Bloomberg.

If that happens, the music-discovery tool, which launched last month with iOS 7, will beat out industry leader Pandora in the pursuit of those two English-speaking markets outside of the United States. According to Bloomberg, iTunes Radio is also getting set to enter Australia and New Zealand, where Pandora already operates.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but we'll update this post if we hear back.

The reason for Apple's jump ahead, the article says, is because Apple was able to come to agreements with record labels like Vivendi's Universal Music Group for international rights to songs.

Users have already been intrigued with Apple's new music offering, with 11 million listeners trying out the service in the first five days after its launch. Apple has also scored some anecdotal victories, like having Justin Timberlake's new album exclusively available for streaming on the service a day before it was officially released.

Pandora is still clearly no slouch. It boasts 72 million active listeners -- those listeners also make up more than 70 percent of Internet radio listening. Last month, however, the company warned investors that its growth was slowing.

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