Optus teams up with Apple Music, unveils ‘most-streamed in Aus’ list

Optus has extended its ties with music thanks to a new partnership with music streaming giant Apple Music.

The partnership sees the telco juggernaut exclusively offer up to 12 months subscription of Apple Music for free with various Optus plans.

Available to new and re-contracting Optus customers who purchase and remain on various Optus post-paid mobile plans, the offer gives customers full access to Apple Music, which can be streamed or downloaded for offline playback.

Optus VP, TV, Content & Product Development, Clive Dickens said:

“We are excited to offer Apple Music to Optus customers and help more Australians connect and share the joys of streaming music on our amazing network. 

“With this new exclusive offer, we are aiming to introduce more Australians to the ease and convenience of finding a classic favourite or discovering brand new songs and artists with Apple Music, whether in the car, at home or at work.

“The Apple Music exclusive offer is available on selected great value Optus plans priced for all budgets. Our plans offer fast speeds on Optus’ premium network and incredible data inclusions – with selected plans offering up to 200GB of data for customers who love to stream and download on-the-go.”

Apple, the world’s first trillion-dollar company, launched its music streaming offering in Australia on June 30, 2015. As the world’s fastest-growing music streaming service, it now offers Optus subscribers over 50 million songs, combined with customers’ entire existing iTunes library, which they can stream or download for offline listening all completely ad-free. 

The offering will of course include the ability to create playlists, receive daily recommendations, and stream Beats 1, Apple Music’s renowned global live radio stream. Beats 1, headed up by Zane Lowe, has a roster of big-name hosts across its multi-show offering, including Elton John, Drake, The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, Nicki Minaj and Australia’s own Briggs. 

Today Apple Music and Optus have also revealed a brand new ranking of the most streamed songs and albums on Apple Music in Australia since the platform launched in 2015. This is the first time a complete Top 10 list of this nature has been revealed.

There should be no surprises at the most streamed song and album on either list. Despite being released in March 2017, Ed Sheeran’s album ÷ not only topped the ARIA charts in 2017, and stayed there for 26 weeks (the longest by a male solo artist), but was also the most streamed album of 2018 in Australia. 

5 Second of Summer’s album ‘Youngblood’ was also the most-streamed Australian album of 2018 on Apple Music. While the LP doesn’t make the list, the title track comes in at #3 most streamed in Australia.

Check out the full Top 10 lists of most streamed songs and albums on Apple Music below:

Most streamed songs on Apple Music

1. Shape of You (Ed Sheeran)
2. Perfect (Ed Sheeran)
3. Youngblood (5 Seconds of Summer)
4. rockstar (Post Malone Feat. 21 Savage)
5. Despacito (Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Feat. Justin Bieber)
6. Closer (The Chainsmokers Feat. Halsey)
7. I Fall Apart (Post Malone)
8. Castle on the Hill (Ed Sheeran)
9. Eastside (benny blanco, Halsey & Khalid)
10. Starboy (The Weeknd Feat. Daft Punk)

Most streamed albums on Apple Music

1. ÷ (Ed Sheeran)
2. The Greatest Showman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Various Artists)
3. Stoney (Post Malone)
4. Purpose (Justin Bieber)
5. beerbongs & bentleys (Post Malone)
6. 1989 (Taylor Swift)
7. Views (Drake)
8. Baby Lullaby: Relaxing Piano Lullabies and Natural Sleep Aid for Baby Sleep Music (Einstein Baby Lullaby Academy)
9. Starboy (The Weeknd)
10. x (Ed Sheeran)

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.