Virgin and HMV to launch music download services
>edfain and HMV will launch music download services offering subscription-based services with an option to buy.
The Virgin service is about to charge £9.99 a month if users are interested to listen to tracks from the company’s 1.2 million song library, £14.99 per month if they are interested to transfer tracks to an MP3 player, or 79p per track if they want to own the music.
The new music services works on a subscription basis and users have to pay a monthly fee to listen to music. On the other hand, Apple’s iTunes required users to pay per album or track, without any time limit. HMV has not released pricing information but will launch the service later this year.
Both HMV and Virgin want to grow in digital market, which is currently dominated by Apple’s iTunes. The high street retailers offers services allowing music to be downloaded on to MP3 players, but not Apple’s iPod.
HMV subscribers will be locked into using Windows Media Player just like iTunes customers are tied to using Apple players. Microsoft has developed a special HMV jukebox music player based around the Windows Media Audio 9 format.
HMV and Microsoft is expecting their new service to accelerate the adoption of digital music downloads. It is about 5% of the UK population that owns a digital music player at present.
Customers will also have access to online radio stations and exclusive performances by artists in HMV and Virgin stores. Virgin subscribers get access to 60 free radio stations and an “ask the expert” backup email service.
Music majors Virgin and HMV, are hoping to attract older music lovers by going digital. HMV Digital is all about freedom of choice and Microsoft is proud that its technology is at the heart of this service. лаптоп