MSN takes downloads fight to Apple

Posted on 4 Nov 2004 at 12:12

Microsoft has announced an expansion of its MSN Music Store, adding eight new countries to bring the total number covered to 17.

The enlargement, says Microsoft, is a significant challenge to Apple, who recently extended its market-leading iTunes Music Store to nine more countries. iTMS is now available in 13 countries worldwide, with Canada to come later this month. Ireland is also thought to be on the agenda.

'If you take all the new countries, we expect to overtake iTunes very soon, because we will have a larger user base to tap,' said MSN's Arndt Salzburg.

iTMS has an estimated 70 per cent share of the US market, but is not thought to be as dominant in Europe.

MSN prices range from €0.99 to €1.29, while iTunes charges a flat €0.99.

Author: Simon Aughton

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