MySpace launches Music site

MySpace Music launch
Social network is direct rival to i-Tunes
25 September 2008 - MySpace has today unveiled MySpace Music, artists can now make money, through Amazon, directly from downloads from their MySpace site.

Along with its joint venture partners which include SonyBMG, Universal, Warners, SonyATV/Music Publishing and The Orchard for independent digital music and EMI, who signed late yesterday, MySpace Music aims to give their massive community of musicians and artists a chance to make money.

Indies not happy as they have been left out, may be not the best way to handel this considering that the myspace has most definitely been helped by the presence of indie bands on network. I think they will do a deal but they should have sorted one prior to launching.

I also hear that they will offer variable prcing on MP3's somthing that I-tunes has refused to do. Its all an effort to get people to buy more music in stead of stealing it which can only be a good thing.

I think it also paves the way for the record industry to look to partner with more gaming destinations to leverage sales, in the likes of Habbo Hotel and other virtual worlds. Motor Head have just launched themselves into a virtual world. However I think it will be most successful when its in context with the game. A little bit like in game adverts, if you present music within context of the game and then offer the up sell to buy that music people are more likely to convert.

What more does it offer?

The MyMusic toolset allows users in the US to download, stream, and personalize their music content. Music fans can create both personal and public playlists and profile display, allowing friends to stream all playlisted content on-demand and purchase MP3s of their favourite songs. Users can virally add a friend's playlist to their own profile or take songs from a friend's profile to their own.

Beginning today, US users can purchase DRM-free MP3 music downloads through the system powered by Amazon MP3. MySpace Music will now feature buy buttons that will allow users to download and purchase MP3s playable on all digital music players.

The new venture also means artists can stream any number of tracks on their site, including back catalogue, whereas before the number of tracks were limited. This means artists who were previously cautious about allowing tracks for download, or to be streamed on the site, can now do so worry-free.

MySpace Music UK is rumoured to be launching before Christmas.