Apple told customers on Friday that ad-supported stations on iTunes Radio will go dark on January 28th and 29th, 2016, and that Beats 1 will be the sole free streaming radio service available to those who don't subscribe to Apple Music. iTunes Radio was launched in 2013 as part of iOS 7, but it has been replaced by Apple Music, which launched in June of 2014.
Beats 1 Splash Screen
Ad-supported ad-supported stations originally part of iTunes Radio were included in the rollout of Apple Music, and it's those stations that are being discontinued. From Apple's email:
As a listener of ad-supported radio on Apple Music, we want you to know it's being discontinued starting January 28. Beats 1 will now be the premier free broadcast so you'll continue to get all the best music and culture there with world-class DJs like Zane Lowe and specialty programming from artists like Dr. Dre, Drake, Pharrell Williams, and more.
Additionally, with an Apple Music membership, you can access dozens of radio stations handcrafted by our team of experts, commercial-free with unlimited skips. Or you can create your own stations based on your favorite songs and artists. Start your Apple Music membership now and enjoy unlimited access to everything radio offers along with the entire Apple Music catalog.
Different versions of the email include either January 28th or January 29th as the date the stations will end depending on the market the recipient is in. Different date formats are also used according to local nomenclature, and shows popular in that market are sometimes used.