Apple Music is set to prioritize Dolby Atmos tracks, potentially boosting artist payouts and luring listeners deeper into the immersive audio experience according to a recent Bloomberg report.

Apple Music will take steps to incentivize artists into remastering their tracks with support for Dolby Atmos. Starting next year, the streaming service will weight Dolby Atmos tracks more heavily in its algorithms, potentially leading to increased streams and, consequently, higher royalty payouts for artists who embrace the format.

This move signifies a strategic push by Apple to solidify its position as a leader in the immersive audio space. Dolby Atmos, with its ability to create a three-dimensional soundscape that envelops listeners, has garnered critical acclaim and is steadily gaining traction among audiophiles and casual listeners alike. By incentivizing artists to adopt Atmos, Apple is not only enriching its music library but also potentially luring listeners deeper into its ecosystem.

The Perks of Atmos:

• Enhanced Listening Experience: Dolby Atmos goes beyond traditional stereo sound, placing instruments and vocals in distinct virtual spaces around the listener, creating a more realistic and immersive experience. Imagine drums pounding from behind you, vocals floating above, and guitars weaving through the soundscape – it’s like being transported into the heart of the music.
• Boost for Artists: Apple’s new policy benefits artists in two ways. First, Atmos tracks stand a higher chance of being featured in curated playlists and search results, potentially leading to increased discovery and streams. Second, even if listeners don’t actively choose the Atmos version, as long as it’s available, artists reap the benefit of the added weighting in the algorithm.
• Wider Music Selection: With the financial incentive in place, expect to see a surge in Atmos music production, encompassing both new releases and remastered classics. This opens up a vast library of immersive listening experiences for music fans to explore.

Apple’s play with Atmos extends beyond just music streaming. The company’s investment in spatial audio hardware, including AirPods and HomePod speakers, seamlessly complements the spatial audio experience. As the Atmos library expands, users might be tempted to upgrade their listening equipment to fully unlock the immersive potential.

While Apple is leading with its Atmos focus, the spatial audio race is far from a one-horse show. Amazon Music also offers Dolby Atmos support, and other major players like Spotify are likely to follow suit.