Microsoft negotiating with labels for Xbox Music
updated 04:08 pm EDT, Thu June 28, 2012
Spotify-style streaming service to roll out later this year
Microsoft is currently negotiating with the major music labels in order to bring their tunes to its own Xbox music service. Sources familiar with the negotiations tell Bloomberg that the Redmond company is in talks with Vivend, UMG, Warner Music Group, Sony, and EMI in order to secure the rights to their music for a streaming service with download and online-storage functions. Microsoft reportedly hopes to roll out the service later this year.
Microsoft announced Xbox Music earlier this month as part of its keynote presentation at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. The service will reportedly feature a subscription service similar to Spotify's, as well as the option to purchase music. Xbox Music will also provide users with an online locker accessible from Windows 8 mobile devices.
Reportedly, the negotiations are in an early state. Microsoft is hoping to get all of the major labels on board in order to provide the widest range of artists possible when rolling out the service later this year. It's thought that a wider selection of artists, in addition to cross-device functionality, could allow Microsoft finally leverage the Xbox's massive user base into a prominent role in the music sector, or at least one more influential than the company's previous efforts.
