Getting ads on iTunes Radio even with iTunes Match

I called Apple (case ID #706435810) and ended up talking to a senior iTunes store manager.

Believe it or not, this is intended behavior. Even with iTunes Match turned on, iTunes Radio will now play and display non-skipable ads, though only(!) for music you can download through iTunes, by design. I lodged a complaint. So far the issue only affects, in my experience, the version 12 Windows iTunes client. (Too bad we can't revert.) The problem does not occur on the iOS music app, nor does it on Yosemite iTunes.

Please, everyone, run iTunes. Select Help > Apple Service and Support. Then open a case and complain that the behavior violates the selling point that you can listen on all your devices without ads.

Thanks sfwrtr! I will open a case and complain that the behavior violates the selling point that you can listen on all your devices without ads.

This is exactly my problem, as well... It happens on my Mac Mini at home, as well as on my Windows machine at work... It doesn't happen on my iPhone 6... This has been going on for at least a couple of weeks, and it's really annoying. I can't stand these stupid advertisements! I paid not to hear them! I want a refund if they can't fix this!

I actually don't buy this explanation even though it came from a senior iTunes store manager. I've heard too many sketchy explanations from Apple tech support people to take something at face value, even something fitting for a "big, evil corporation".

My experience is inconsistent with this explation. See the attached screen shot from iTunes 12.0.1.26 on my Win 8.1 PC. You'll see that I'm signed into iTunes and iTunes match. You'll also see that it's playing a NISSAN ad. So either they've completely blown off their policy of not playing ads to iTunes Match subscribers (without telling us or changing their T&Cs), or this is a bug.

I should mention that every day or so I get a pop-up error message about iTunes Store. I can't remember the details, but I bet it's related. Is anyone else seeing this?

I tried the suggestion above of Store > View Account > iTunes in the Cloud > Manage Devices > Remove (the misbehaving machine). No ads yet, but it's only been three songs.

P.s. Like my eclectic selection?

I haven't noticed this on my Apple devices but on my Windows 7 PC with iTunes 12.01.26 I recently began hearing ads every couple of songs. I pay for Match and ad-free iTunes Radio was a big selling point for me.

However, I was able to resolve this issue (so far) by doing the following:

Under the "Store" pull-down menu, select "Deauthorize this computer..."

Even though Match should be now disabled, if the option exists go ahead and turn off iTunes Match

Your computer should now not exist at all as far as iTunes is concerned.

Next, from the "Store" pull-down menu, select "Authorize this computer..." and sign in to your account

Even though you are now authorized for your iTunes account, you still need to select "Turn on iTunes Match" from the "Store" pull-down

At this point it will go through its normal matching process but you should immediately be able to listen to Radio and select from your prior saved stations.

From the moment I completed these tasks, I have been able to listen to iTunes Radio on my PC ad free. It's only been a few hours though, so no guarantee how long this solution will hold. I have an email in to iTunes support and will update on any changes or new info.

Update: It's been a few days now, and not a single ad. So until they actually fix the bug in iTunes 12 I think the right workaround is to remove and re-add the machine, as described here.

I know this won't be an option for those who primary iTunes Library is on iTunes 12. Mine however is not and only use Windows iTunes for Radio and Match.

After having tried everything previously mentioned and a few other things, I obliterated iTunes 12 from my PC and reinstalled 11.3.0.54 and haven't had an ad since and this was back in November.

Just an FYI for those who don't have their primary library converted to this version of iTunes. I'm always paranoid about upgrading itunes on windows and had the old installer to use.

Steve

Thanks! I followed these steps, and I no longer get ads!

Problem still exists after trying everything that was mentioned before. I opened up a case with iTunes support this morning (762204300) and will see what kind of response I get. Has anyone had any better luck than me? I haven't been able to physically sync my phone and iPads with iTunes for over a year (multiple computers and multiple devices) and now this problem has me seriously doubting my commitment to Apple.

I just started getting ads on iTunes Radio today despite having iTunes Match. My iTunes Match just auto-renewed within the last month.

Apple's iTunes Radio FAQ page specifically says the following:

Can I remove ads from iTunes Radio?

Yes, if you're in the United States or Australia, you can listen to iTunes Radio without ads when you subscribe to iTunes Match. If you're using iOS 7.1 or later and iTunes 11.2 or later, you don't need to turn on iTunes Match on your device. As long as you have an active subscription to iTunes Match, you can listen to ad-free radio. If you're using an earlier version of iOS, you'll need to turn on iTunes Match on your device to listen to ad-free radio.

So despite what that "Senior Care" Apple advisor said, there should not be ads when subscribing to iTunes Match.

I just tried de-authorizing my PC and then re-authorizing and turning iTunes Match back on. We'll see if that works.

I just updated to the OS X 10.3.3 which included an iTunes update. I have been listening without ads for several hours. I hope this is really fixed. There is also a new version for PC which I have not tried yet.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Regards,

Oliver

I too have had problems since the last OS X update. I have tried everything, including all those recommended in this post, and I still get ads. I would like Apple to respond, please.

I am also having this problem, but only on Windows iTunes. My iPhone does not have this problem. In the meantime, I'll just use one of iTunes Radio's many competitors.

The suggested answer did not help me, as my PC is already synced.

The only solution I have found is to use iTunes 11.4.0.18 on my windows 7 (64-bit) PC. I just use this PC for listening to the radio, so I'm OK with this as long as 11.4 still works for iTunes Radio.

I don't see this problem on iMAC, iPad, or iPhone.

This seems like Apple could fix this Bug if they wanted to.