Apple in talks to acquire Jay Z’s Tidal as music streaming battle hots up

Apple is eyeing up a potential takeover bid for Jay Z’s music-streaming service Tidal. The technology giant is eyeing up Tidal because of its strong ties to popular artists including Kanye West and Madonna. “Exploratory talks” were continuing but they may not result in a deal, sources told the Wall Street Journal. However, Tidal has denied a deal has been discussed.

Apple has long used its control of iOS to squash competition in music, driving up the prices of its competitors, inappropriately forbidding us from telling our customers about lower prices, and giving itself unfair advantages across its platform through everything from the lock screen to Siri

Rival Spotify rails against Apple earlier this week

Jay Z joined forces with a host of music stars in March last year to unveil Tidal as a rival to Spotify, following criticism of the amount they pay acts in royalties. He bought the technology company behind the service for $56 million but West, Alicia Keys, Calvin Harris, Chris Martin and Jay-Z’s wife Beyonce all have stakes in the business. Last month, West used Tidal to unveil the controversial video to his song Famous, featuring depictions of a host of naked celebrities including Taylor Swift.

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