MTV to debut music download service URGE

The new music shop is a collaboration between MTV and Microsoft Corp.

Consumers will have access to more than 2 million songs for 99 cents per song or full albums starting at $9.95. A monthly subscription fee is also available for unlimited downloads at $9.95 to a PC, and for $14.95 monthly subscribers can transfer songs to portable media devices. Video purchases are said to be available later this year.

"Our audience has come to expect us to deliver the world's best music programming on MTV, VH1 and CMT," said MTV Networks' Music Group President Van Toffler earlier this year at the International Consumer Electronics Show. "URGE will be a major new way for artists across all genres -- from alt-country to zydeco -- to connect with their fans and find new audiences through multiplatform exposure from MTV Networks and on one of the world's most popular digital media players, Windows Media Player."

"Microsoft and MTV Networks have combined their strengths to dramatically redefine how Windows users discover and enjoy music," Microsoft's Bill Gates had added. "The result is a seamless melding of software and entertainment expertise that makes it easy for people to discover new music and listen to old favorites."

Microsoft will also be releasing a beta version of its latest Windows Media Player within the music service.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International

How pop video models prompt poor body image in girls
The use of ultra-thin models in music videos can lead to poor body image in the young girls who watch them, researchers from the University of Sussex reveal in a new report published this week.
Last.fm Wants to Become the Web's MTV
Online social music site Last.fm is moving into the video realm, adding music videos with a goal of providing every video ever made.
Social music lovers become 'Moggers'
The launch of a site intertwining music blogging into a social network could be an opportunity for MOG to segue into a deal with major players in the music industry including music labels and online music stores, if not also appeal to online advertisers.
Broadband Report: Urge opens
This week Microsoft released its brand new beta of Windows Media 11, the beta will come bundled with the beta test of Microsoft's brand new URGE venture, which is Microsoft's long awaited answer to iTunes.
Media executives meet in New York
A virtual who's who of media and technology executives are meeting, greeting and networking Wednesday at the Media Summit in New York. The purpose of the meeting is to bring together the best minds in the industry to try and figure out how to merge entertainment with technology. Luminaries speaking at the conference include Ivan Seidenberg, chairman and chief executive officer, Verizon Communications; Brian L. Roberts, chairman and CEO, Comcast Corporation; Michael Wolf, president and chief operating officer, MTV Networks; Kevin Roberts, CEO Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi; and Kevin Magee, senior vice president, Fox News Radio and vice president of news, Fox News Channel.
Top 10 things seen at CES
I realize that in the grand scheme of things readers don't care whether the job of a reporter is made easier or not. But I must admit that one of the cooler things at the show was that Sony, Phillips, Delphi and a few other companies made their press kits available on really small, easy-to-carry USB-based flash drives. Maybe someday companies will abandon those annoying, big, thick paper press packets.
Consumer Electronic Show: Day 1
Day 1 of the sprawling Consumer Electronic Show proved how important convergence and high-definition technology will be in 2006. From the HD-DVD promotion group's launch party to Sony's exhibit of its new HD camcorder, HD is promising to become the buzzword this year.
Briefs: MTV, Microsoft team on digital music
Heavyweights Microsoft and MTV are teaming up to enter the digital-music market.

MTV to debut music download service URGE

Related stories:

News discussion: