Sky unveils hybrid music service

Posted on 12 Oct 2009 at 11:36

BSkyB will next week launch Sky Songs, a digital music service it hopes will challenge Apple’s iTunes and Spotify in the music downloads business.

BSkyB says the service, which will go live on 19 October, will offer access to more than four million tracks for download and ad-free streaming.

It will include new releases and back catalogues from all four major music labels—EMI, Sony, Universal and Warner—plus a range of independent labels and distributors.

The service will operate on a subscription basis in contrast to the track-by-track purchasing model of iTunes.

The broadcaster will offer two subscription options: for £6.49 a month users will be allowed to download one “£6.49 album” or 10 individual songs, and stream as much music as they wish. There’s also a £7.99 option, where users will be offered a “£7.99 album” or 15 songs, plus the unlimited streaming. Additional downloads will cost extra.

There will be no advertiser-funded element such as that offered by Spotify, which provides free access to music.

Author: Barry Collins / Reuters

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