Apple is emailing streaming Internet radio stations, requesting cover art from them for future use on iTunes and their iOS mobile devices. This indicates that Apple may soon feature independent streaming music stations more prominently.
The company does note that submitted Internet Radio cover art is not currently displayed to users anywhere.
On the Mac and PC, iTunes currently features hundreds of streaming radio stations, including many college and foreign stations.
iTunes Radio, which will launch this fall with iOS 7, is a streaming music service that allows listeners to listen to ad-supported songs explicitly licensed by Apple. It isn’t clear if Apple plans to integrate iTunes Radio and the existing streaming Internet radio stations, or if they will be separate offerings.
Apple’s email to the Internet radio stations is as follows:
Dear Internet Radio Provider,
Cover Art
The iTunes Store now requires cover art for Internet Radio stations. The cover art files must be 1400 x 1400 pixels in JPG or PNG format using RGB color space. The image URL must end in “.jpg”, “.jpeg” or “.png”. To add cover art to your station, send an email to itunesradio@apple.com including your contact name, station name and cover art file.
Cover art should avoid pixelation. Any text should be legible at reduced image sizes on small devices. Note that Internet Radio cover art is not currently displayed.
Questions about iTunes Radio?
Check out iTunes Radio here.
Regards,
The iTunes Internet Radio Team
