(Image via Apple)
Included in that expected expansion is sports-focused content from ESPN including SportsCenter All Night, The Herd, Mike & Mike, and more. Apple is also planning to stream the World Cup over iTunes Radio, according to our source, further diversifying the platform from being music-centric.
Included in the additional content on iTunes Radio is a broad expansion of its support for NPR stations. Earlier this year, Apple introduced support for a single NPR streaming station, making it the first non-music channel on iTunes Radio. Following the addition of new content, iTunes Radio will support 42 local NPR channels from around the country.
Apple’s move to partner with even more traditional broadcast radio partners shows the company’s effort to differentiate the streaming content service from similar music streaming services like that it resembled at launch. The report from The Information does cite, however, Apple’s failed efforts to make deals with major content broadcasters including Cumulus Media.
Apple, of course, announced earlier its week plans to purchase Beats Music and Beats Electronics in a $3 billion acquisition expected to be approved by the end of September. Apple has said that it will maintain the Beats Music subscription service which offers apps on iPhone and iPad in addition to Android, Windows Phone, and the Web.
