Sony to provide older songs to eMusic
updated 01:25 pm EDT, Mon June 1, 2009
Sony, eMusic strike a deal
Sony Music and online digital music retailer eMusic announced on Monday that music that is more than two years old from the record label will be added to eMusic's online store. While specifics of the deal were not disclosed, a direct result of it will see eMusic raise its prices slightly and reduce the number of downloads in its monthly plans. The classic recordings from Sony Music labels that include Columbia, RCA, and Jive, as well as artists such as Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and Johnny Cash, will be added to eMusic's catalog in the third quarter of the year.
NYC-based eMusic's near 400,000 subscribers pay a monthly fee to download a set number of MP3 songs during that time period. The basic plan costs $12 per month for 24 music tracks, and the website targets listeners who are at least 25 years old.
Danny Stein, eMusic’s chief executive, has been involved with other major music labels to bring their tracks to the retailer, including Warner Music, the Universal Music Group and EMI. Many independents have asked eMusic to raise pricing. Major music labels have been traditionally against selling songs in the unprotected and easily shareable MP3 format. [via NYTimes]
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2005
as an eMusic member...
i'd rather they kept the price the same for me, because i don't give a c*** about the Sony backcatalogue. i like eMusic because they carry a lot of small import labels.
this is like the cable company raising the price for everyone because they picked up another ESPN channel...even for those customers who don't give a c*** about watching sports on TV.