iTunes Radio Expanding Outside of U.S. in 2014

ITunes Radio, the free music service which was launched with iOS 7 in the U.S on September 18th, will be making its international debut in 2014. Currently available exclusively in the United States, Apple is looking to expand its reach into Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom.

The streaming service is giving Pandora a run for its money. The program comes automatically with the iPhone 5s and 5c and is now part of the iTunes 11.1 update, making it available on the Mac and PC. So far, over 11 million people have reportedly tried out the music program. The inclusion of iTunes Radio with iOS 7 has given Apple a slight advantage in the battle for streaming dominance since there are no extra apps for users to download.

Due to its reliance on receiving streaming rights from government agencies, Pandora is currently limited to the U.S., New Zealand, and Australia. According to Bloomberg, Apple has made international agreements with Universal Music Group, as well as other music companies, which accounts for its ability to get the jump on its competitor. While Pandora could potentially gain a foothold in those countries first, insiders say it seems unlikely. In addition to the markets currently on its slate, there are rumored plans for a Nordic expansion later next year.