GristyMcFisty and Quakester2000 both reported us that MTV Networks is preparing to launch a music download service. According to MTV chief Tom Freston the service will compete with Apple's successful iTunes service and all the other music download services (Napster, MusicNet, etc.). There are not many details available on MTV's new service. All we know is that the service will debut within the first half of next year:
 The expected launch will mark yet another stab by MTV at courting its contingent of younger viewers with a music download offering. The Viacom-owned music television network had considered offering music streaming and the ability to download actual songs in 2000. The service was to be a cornerstone in its strategy to spin off the online division of MTV and other Viacom properties in the same year. But the collapse of the Internet boom forced Viacom to scale back lofty ambitions and shelve the public offering. While MTV.com currently lets users download some music tracks, they expire after about a month and cannot be burned to a compact disc or uploaded to a portable digital player. Analysts said MTV, with its global presence and ubiquity in the living rooms of teenagers and young adults would have a leg up on established competitors but was slow in entering the market for music downloads.
"There`s no doubt it`s a strong brand, with a strong profile of viewers," said Phil Leigh, senior analyst at Inside Digital Media, about MTV`s plans. "But they can`t rely solely on their brand come next year ... After iTunes launched in April, MTV should have been like a hawk on a field mouse." |
Source: BTopenworld
