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Apple Music hits 17 million paid subscribers thanks to exclusives

Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced at a live event in San Francisco that Apple Music, the company’s music streaming service, has hit 17 million paid subscribers – 2 million more since his last update at Apple’s last major event – WWDC – three months ago.

Cook noted the significant number of exclusive releases as helping the numbers to grow: “Apple Music was the first place to listen to over 70 great releases” – citing the likes of Taylor Swift and Drake’s 2016 releases as examples.

However, Apple Music is still a long way from the more established Spotify which has an estimated 39 million paying subscribers. In fact, Spotify itself could be said to be growing even faster, something its vice president Jonathon Forster attested to earlier this year.

This month also sees the tenth anniversary of the Apple Music festival take place in London from 18-30 September. It features Alicia Keys, Britney Spears, Elton John and more.

Read more stories from Apple’s recent live event