Skip to main content
  • News
    • MTV News
    • Trending News
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Taylor Swift
    • Kim Kardashian
  • Music
    • Music Highlights
    • Music Videos
    • Charts
    • Playlists
    • EMAs
    • MTV PUSH
    • Artists
  • Shows
    • Latest Shows
    • The Charlotte Show
    • Geordie Shore
    • Ex on the Beach
    • Just Tattoo Of Us
    • Teen Mom UK
    • The Royal World
  • Movies
    • Movies Highlights
    • New Movies Coming Soon
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Trailers
    • Moana
  • Travel
    • Videos
  • Style
  • Life
    • Life
    • MTV Breaks
    • Sex
    • WTF
    • SRS
    • Travel
    • Fitness
    • Generation Change
  • Pictures
  • Win
  • MTV Play
  • TV Guide
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Search
  • Pictures
  • Win
  • MTV Play
  • TV Guide
Home
  • News
    • MTV News
    • Trending News
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Taylor Swift
    • Kim Kardashian
  • Music
    • Music Highlights
    • Music Videos
    • Charts
    • Playlists
    • EMAs
    • MTV PUSH
    • Artists
  • Shows
    • Latest Shows
    • The Charlotte Show
    • Geordie Shore
    • Ex on the Beach
    • Just Tattoo Of Us
    • Teen Mom UK
    • The Royal World
  • Movies
    • Movies Highlights
    • New Movies Coming Soon
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Trailers
    • Moana
  • Travel
    • Videos
  • Style
  • Life
    • Life
    • MTV Breaks
    • Sex
    • WTF
    • SRS
    • Travel
    • Fitness
    • Generation Change
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Search

Apple

  • Main
  • Videos
  • News

You Could Never Download Music From ITunes In South Korea - Here's Why We Hope Downloads Are Here To Stay In The UK

South Koreans are unable to download music from iTunes. Could the same happen here? Let's talk...

Lucas Fothergill
  • Share to Facebook
  • Tweet to Twitter
  • Share to Google plus
Tuesday, August 9, 2016 - 15:04

Digital Music News has reported that Apple is ‘dropping music downloads’ in South Korea. However, this is a little disingenuous, as the option was never available in the first place.

What has happened is that Apple has launched Apple Music in the region, just without the option to download and keep music. Users can only stream music.

Why is this important?

The way we enjoy music is changing rapidly. Streaming services (as you’ve probably guessed) are becoming increasingly popular, and this year has seen reports – which Apple denied – that iTunes downloads were set to be phased out completely.

This morning, Apple Music launched in South Korea, which is the eighth biggest music market in the world. What Apple did today doesn’t contradict their statement (mentioned above). As it stands, iTunes downloads are here to stay, but the move does hint that things could dramatically change over the next few years.

What happens if this new-look iTunes, which doesn’t include the option to download music and only offers the Apple Music streaming service, is a success? Could we see downloads phased out here in the UK, and in other regions, in the future?

What’s the problem with this?

Opinions will differ from person to person depending on your habits. Some of you might not buy any physical music (e.g. vinyls, CDs etc.) at all, and some of you might not download any music either, preferring to use streaming services exclusively. Fair enough. That’s probably quite common.

Indeed, Digital Music News wrote that: “in 2016, paid music downloads are experiencing double-digit declines, with both Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group reporting drastic collapses in the format.” Will news like this spur Apple into ditching digital downloads all together in the not too distant future?

Streaming is here to stay, but that doesn’t mean that people don’t enjoy the ability to download the music still. Apple might be correct if they’ve identified streaming as the way forward – but it would be a crying shame if they didn’t still allow us to have the choice to download music, even if we don’t ever truly own anything that’s digital.

Being able to download music has its benefits over streaming. For example, streaming through your mobile phone is terrible, and it chews through your data faster than Bruce Bogtrotter ate that chocolate cake in Matilda. (Why did I name-drop Bruce Bogtrotter in an article about music downloads...) (Why have I not deleted that line yet?) 

Also, if you’re like me, you might quite like being able to download/buy albums, to actually have the music you love. I remember how, on the school bus, everyone would pass around his or her iPods, and you could check out what everyone else’s music tastes (via their whole music library) was like, and you could share yours too. It was like you were curating something, and it felt special and unique. Streaming isn’t quite the same, even if Spotify has tried to recreate this feeling by adding the ‘Your Music’ section, where music you select is added to your personal section on the app.

Of course, in the UK, you can still download music from iTunes. The concern is that, in the near future, Apple will try to force us to onto their streaming service by discontinuing the download option.

Talk to us!

What do you think? Would you be upset if Apple removed the ability to download music from iTunes? Or does this change nothing? Let us know over on Twitter @MTVUK. We want to hear your thoughts! 

Latest News

Bree Runway - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Bree Runway: 'Can You Imagine How Crazy I’m About To Go In 2021?'
Inhaler - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Inhaler: ‘We Were A Really Bad Heavy Metal Band For A While’
How To Look After Your Mental Health In 2021
Nathan Dawe - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Nathan Dawe Talks ‘Massive’ Collabs For 2021
Claudia Valentina - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Claudia Valentina: ‘My Dreams Have Never Been Small’
Arlo Parks - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Arlo Parks Has Her Sights On Acting & Directing
AWA - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
AWA Says Her Debut Album Is ‘Very Vulnerable and Open’
220 KID - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
220 KID Tells Us The Heroic Reason Behind His Name
Alfie Templeman - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Alfie Templeman Just Wants To Make You Smile
MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Voting For MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021 Is Open!
Get To Know - Iann Dior
Get To Know: iann dior
Get To Know - J.I the Prince of N.Y
Get To Know: J.I The Prince Of N.Y
Khloé Kardashian Reacts To “Disrespectful” Typo On Throwback Family Christmas Card
Shawn Mendes Reveals How He And Camila Cabello Are Spending Christmas
Selena Gomez Wins An Award From Peta For Her Vegan Rare Beauty Makeup Collection
Get To Know - Holly Humberstone
Get To Know: Holly Humberstone
Addison Rae And Rachael Leigh Cook Recreate She’s All That Scene On TikTok
The Weeknd - Blinding Lights - Music Video
The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Was MTV’s Most Played Video Of 2020
Cardi B Surprises Offset With A Lamborghini In Celebration Of His 29th Birthday
Kylie Jenner Named Highest Paid Celebrity Of 2020 With Nearly $550 Million

More From Apple

This New Emoji Is Going To Cause A LOT Of Drama And We’re So Here For It
The New Apple Emojis Are Finally Here And We Already Have Our Favourites
Games
'Bubble Witch 3' From The Creators of 'Candy Crush' Features Adorable Fat Cats And Is Going To Take Over Your Life
Games
Pokémon Go Is Now On The Apple Watch, Here's How It's Different
Music
The Weeknd On Working With “Genius” Kendrick Lamar & Putting His Chopped Off Hair In A Safe Somewhere
Technology
iPhone 7: Apple Kills The Headphone Jack, Brings Back Wireless Headphones And…Partners Up With Mario?!
Music
You Could Never Download Music From ITunes In South Korea - Here's Why We Hope Downloads Are Here To Stay In The UK
Apple Celebrates Diversity With Its New TV Spot, Featuring Civil Rights Activist Maya Angelou
Life
Apple Embraces Diversity With Its Major Emoji Update
Music
Is Apple Right To Try And Block Smartphone Cameras At Gigs?
MTV News
MTV News | Miguel Asked Beyonce To Sing WHAT?!
Taylor Swift Celebrates Victory Against Apple Music, Proves She's Amazing

Trending Articles

Bree Runway - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Bree Runway: 'Can You Imagine How Crazy I’m About To Go In 2021?'
Charli D’Amelio Sets The Record Straight About A Fake “Leaked” Picture Online
21 Types Of People You'll Find In Every Friendship Group
10 Things Your Heartbroken Friend Needs To Hear
How To Look After Your Mental Health In 2021
MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Voting For MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021 Is Open!
18 Most Naked Of Naked Moments To Have Ever Hit Geordie Shore
Inhaler - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Inhaler: ‘We Were A Really Bad Heavy Metal Band For A While’
Celebrity
10 Celebrities Who Have Some Seriously Kinky Sex Likes In The Bedroom
Claudia Valentina - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Claudia Valentina: ‘My Dreams Have Never Been Small’
From Lady Gaga To Chris Pratt: 8 Celebs Who Have A Seriously Sexy Past As A Stripper
  • Contact Us
  • Access Services
  • Website Terms
  • Mobile Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • MTV Jobs
  • MTV Press
  • Anti-Slavery
  • Global Tax Policy Statement
Hit us with some keywords!