Apple could launch up to 5 new online-only radio stations

Apple's contracts with record labels for its music streaming service Apple Music allow it to launch even more online-only radio stations, The Verge reports.

Right now Apple only has one radio station that broadcasts online: Beats 1. It has three main presenters, and broadcasts from London, New York, and Los Angeles. It also features famous guest hosts, include Pharrell Williams, Elton John, and Dr. Dre.

But The Verge reports that Apple's contracts with record labels allow it to launch even more radio stations whenever it wants. 9to5Mac is reporting that it can create up to five more, meaning that Beats 2, 3 or even Beats 6 could be on the way soon.

The launch of Beats 1 didn't go smoothly. The initial launch saw presenter Zane Lowe play 40 minutes of awkward studio chatter over ambient music. And the service has also gone down repeatedly, which is less than ideal for a radio station with the tagline "Worldwide, always on."