Aug 27 (Reuters) - Apple ( AAPL ) will distribute its

curated radio stations on a global network of home speakers and

connected cars, in a push to extend the reach of its music

service, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

The iPhone maker's six radio stations will be available

outside its app for the first time through a deal with digital

radio platform TuneIn, according to the report.

Apple's ( AAPL ) push into radio comes as competition in the music

streaming industry heats up, with companies such as Spotify ( SPOT )

making inroads into supporting new formats such as

video podcasts and messages.

Beginning Wednesday, Apple's ( AAPL ) stations will be available to

TuneIn's 75 million monthly active users, the report said.

The Cupertino, California-based company had approached

TuneIn about a tie-up around the end of last year, the report

said, quoting the digital radio platform's CEO Richard Stern as

saying.

Apple's ( AAPL ) market share of digital music subscribers in the

U.S. fell to 25% at the end of last year, from 30% in 2020,

while Spotify's ( SPOT ) increased, the report said, citing MIDiA

Research.

Apple ( AAPL ) and TuneIn did not immediately respond to Reuters'

requests for comment.