Taylor Swift to keep new album off Apple Music, other streaming services for one week

By Roger Fingas

Taylor Swift's new album "Reputation" will reportedly be held off of streaming services for at least a week -- including even Apple Music, with which the pop singer has developed close business ties.

Services are still talking with Swift's associates to determine when they'll be able to host the album, according to Bloomberg sources. The streaming blackout won't affect the iTunes Store, where "Reputation" should be ready to download on Nov. 10.

Swift has been a frequent critic of streaming services, arguing that they devalue both her music and other artists. She famously wrote an open letter complaining about plans to skip royalties during three-month Apple Music trials -- Apple quickly relented under pressure.

For a long time Apple Music became the only way to stream the album "1989," or simply more than a handful of Swift songs. The situation only reversed course in June this year.

Apple meanwhile used Swift in marketing, and offered up an exclusive concert video.

Swift's popularity has allowed her more control over terms than most artists. Independent musicians may sometimes be more likely to benefit from services such as Apple Music and Spotify, since they provide badly-needed exposure.