BSkyB is to launch Sky Songs next week. The service, which will be a subscription-based model, will charge users a flat fee each month to get access to unlimited song downloads. This is in contrast to Apple’s iTunes, which is based on track-by-track purchasing. A clear attack on the use of iTunes but also on and Spotify as users will have the option to go for advert free streaming. This will allows users to listen to the song over the internet without having to physically download it first.
The music will be downloaded in the universal MP3 format, and will be free from digital rights-management encryption. This means subscribers to the service will be able to transfer their purchased songs onto a variety of devices. Users can choose between two subscription options; unlimited music streaming for a monthly subscription of £6.49, with download-to-own tracks and albums priced at 65p and £6.49 respectively, or pay £7.99 per month to download one album or 15 tracks per month, along with the unlimited streams.
Celebrating the launch, Sky will offer all of its broadband customers a free downloadable album worth £6.49 upon signing up to the service.
