Mikey Campbell
It appears that Apple has recently changed its iTunes Music Store policy regarding song samples, reverting preview times for certain tracks from 90 seconds to the old 30-second standard.
The exact timing of Apple's apparent reversion to shorter clips is not clear, though Twitter users have been reporting the change for at least one day. As noted by MacRumors, which first reported on the issue, the switch is affecting a wide variety of titles, including new and popular songs featured by iTunes staff.
Some users have reported the change was performed within the past few hours, with tracks previously eligible for 90-second previews now seeing 30-second time limits.
AppleInsider has confirmed that certain songs over the required time limit are, in fact, playing back 30-second clips. The distribution of shortened previews seems random, however, as a recent release from Trey Songz played for the usual 90 seconds, while Judas Priest's "Redeemer of Souls" album limited playback to 30 seconds. Confusingly, a randomly chosen selection from Neil Diamond also reverted to the old 30-second limit.
Apple first debuted 90-second previews in 2010 for songs longer than 2 minutes and 30 seconds sold through the U.S. iTunes Music store.
Without an official announcement from Apple, it is impossible to tell whether the truncated previews are due to an iTunes glitch, or a more comprehensive change in store policy. Another possibility is pressure from record labels that no longer agree with the extended preview time period.
AppleInsider has reached out to Apple for comment on the situation and will update this report when a response is received.
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Wesley Hilliard
AppleInsider Staff
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
56 Comments
A good decision.
An average song is what, 3:30 - 4:00 minutes long?
90 seconds is too long for a preview. 30 seconds is more than enough time for somebody to make up their mind if they want to buy a song or not.
Should there be free movie previews where 1/3 (30 minutes - 45 minutes) of the film is viewable?
Frigging media companies.
Frigging media companies.
I think that you're right, and this decision probably had nothing to do with Apple at all.
This is only going to drive more people to internet radio. Or piracy.
What do music companies have to lose? Are they losing sales over 90-second previews?
This is only going to drive more people to internet radio. Or piracy.
What do music companies have to lose? Are they losing sales over 90-second previews?
There's already plenty of piracy and music downloads are down significantly so far in 2014.
If I were an artist or label on iTunes, I wouldn't want to have 90 second previews for my songs either.