Single of the week

It is not showing up on the US store either. There used to be a link in the right column labeled "Free on iTunes" but it isn't there and searching for it does not get any useful results.

Perhaps Apple got tired of all the complaining about song selection?

I used to follow the "Free on iTunes" link weekly, I've looked forward to if for years (even if I didn't download).

iTunes (App Store) took in half a $BILLION in the 1st week of January, 2015...this small "freebie" is definitely not going to break that bank...c'mon, iTunes! If anyone knows little details count, it's Apple!

Wherezit?!?!

I have a link to the U.S. "Free on iTunes" page, but it currently shows no SotW:
https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewMultiRoom?fcId=375701591& s=143441&at=11lDJ&ct=3409ace30a7a6ec1385…

I sent this to feedback to apple::

I am highly upset that Apple is no longer offering a "free song of the week"!!!!! Apple makes enough money to offer this service. It was a great way to highlight new artists as well as generate interest of well established artists. Why so greedy Apple? I might have to go back to buying cd's because I don't think I will purchase from Itunes any more. I received this reply from Apple:

Good day! Thank you for contacting iTunes Store Support. My name’s Mark and I’ll be your Advisor.
I’m sorry to hear that you can’t find the free song of the week in your device. I appreciate your effort in bringing this to our attention and I’ll be glad to look in to this right away.
Thank you for your interest Belinda, however Apple is no longer offering a Free Single of the Week. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.
As a valued customer, your feedback is important to us. Having said that, I encourage you to use the iTunes Feedback page to submit your comments:
http://www.apple.com/feedback
Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I’ll be more than happy to assist you with whatever you need, so don’t hesitate to reply. I will keep this correspondence open until I am sure your issue has been resolved. Thank you for giving us the chance to improve your iTunes experience. I wish you the best, and I hope that you have a pleasant rest of your day.
Sincerely, Mark iTunes Store / Mac App Store Customer Support

Same for Australia.

It's a shame if they've stopped it, as quite a few of their giveaways weren't bad and went on to become hits later on.

Methinks iTunes free single of the week has gone the same way as the much missed 12 days of Gifts from Apple (also did not happen for the first Christmas since Christmas 2008). Free single of the week stopped as of 31 Dec 2014. Both these giveaways no longer happening

I contacted iTunes Support and they told me the decision was made to drop the free Single of the Week. Seems they don't want people browsing the Store anymore. I told them that the free single each week got me to the Store and I usually bought a few songs. Now, there's less reason to go. They've stopped the free single in other countries too.

I noticed the absence of the 12 Days of Christmas app this year too. I think it's a real shame when a company decides to cull the nice little things like this. It's not like they're strapped for cash these days, so canning the appetisers like this tends to exhibit a staleness, but more concerning that they're perhaps not hungry for new business anymore. As Steve Jobs quoted from the Whole Earth Catalog, "Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish".

The free single of the week was the only reason I ever visited the iTunes Store. Like others, I usually ended up buying other songs and videos. Now I have no reason to ever visit there again. I can, and will, get my songs and videos elsewhere. Adios, Apple.

I, like others, only went to the iTunes Store to look at the free single of the week and I also used that time to browse the new songs and purchase the new stuff. If the single of the week is gone then I have zero reason to browse the store any longer. I guess it's bye bye iTunes store.

I looked forward to the free single. In Canada we got two- one in French, one in English. I listened to all of them and took the time to learn more about the artists. I especially enjoyed the exposure to French language recordings. I often feel ambivalent about Apple, so this does nothing to warm my heart towards them. I emailed to complain, just for the sake of communicating my opinion.

It's unlikely, I suppose, but I hope they change their mind and bring it back.

Single of the Week was how I discovered Sara Bareilles — in 2007! For Apple to have provided this perk for all these years, only to pull it with no announcement, no explanation, plus nothing to offer in its place is the epitome of crappy customer service. I've been a loyal machead for more years than I can count (just looking at my Purchased folder I see 2,611 items!), so I guess I feel kinda betrayed...😕

I totally agree with you. I would look forward to listening to the free song of the week. Loved some, did not love others, but it did introduce me to some artists that I now enjoy. It was a way for some new artists to be heard and kinda fun for us. We might complain about the song but we always listened..

Bill0328 wrote:

I totally agree with you. I would look forward to listening to the free song of the week. Loved some, did not love others, but it did introduce me to some artists that I now enjoy. It was a way for some new artists to be heard and kinda fun for us. We might complain about the song but we always listened..

Buy a radio.

Pete

This is very sad news. I am in Canada and have noticed for weeks now there has been no single of the week. I have read numerous comments and it appears to be universal. Apparently Apple no longer feels the need :/ I looked forward to the many different genres of music and this concept introduced me to not only new music but new artists. I love my iTunes but Apple seems to be a bit on the greedy side of things :/

They've picked quite a few terrific songs over the years. There is a lot of music I never would have discovered had it not been for the free downloads - Graffiti6's Free, Guillemots's Trains to Brazil, WE ARE TWIN, etc. Sure I like the popular stuff they play on the radio, but the real pleasure is when you find songs and new artists that you don't hear on the radio. The free downloads were a good source for such songs and artists. Bad move Apple.