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Sony BMG "Working On" iPod-Friendly All-You-Can-Eat Service
Posted by Matt Buchanan at 2:40 AM on March 26, 2008
So, there might not be an iTunes subscription plan, but that doesn't mean the labels are any less enthusiastic about a monthly cash drip. According to their CEO, Sony BMG is "working on" its own subscription service, which would "provide access to our entire music catalogue for all digital players, including Apple's iPod" for about US$9 to US$12 a month. Better yet, he said it's "even possible that clients could keep some songs indefinitely, that they would own them even after the subscription expired."
One big question is how the DRM would work, since subscription music is obviously totally tied up, but not all players support the same DRM scheme: Zune's got its own set of chains and the iPod's got FairPlay. So they'd probably have to have player-specific subscription setups.
But here's the real problem: A subscription to a single label for US$10 a month? The only way it makes any sense for consumers is if they're sitting on a fat pipe to all four of the majors, and likely, it's the only way they'll bite. And maybe still, only with Apple mojo to boot, if history's any guide. [AP; CNNMoney]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
noamjamski
Posted 5:52 AM 26/3/08
Please legalize my favorite bit torrent sites NOW.
If the amount of people trading In Rainbows and Niggy Tardust on p2p proves anything, it is not just that people like free music, they like the actual distribution method. If I like buying my meat at the butcher, don't tell me I *have* to go to the supermarket. Charge me where I want to buy. It ain't rocket science. It is American.
noamjamski
Damage
Posted 5:52 AM 26/3/08
There's only one DRM model that'll work with all DAP, and it's called Null-DRM.
Damage
kipmartin
Posted 5:52 AM 26/3/08
Record companies are, in effect, still trying to control the flow of music throughout the consumer community. I wonder who does their marketing? Instead of talking expensive monthly cafeteria plans and DRM, they better come up with something like Limewire.
I see Limewire's biggest problem is in trying to get complete albums. you have to dig around for all 13 songs on that last Megadeath album, and the volume levels, bitrates, and compression algorithms are all different. Finding all the songs, changing the metadata, and hoping they are what they say they are (nothing like getting 2/3 of a song, right?) is a pain.
The record companies should fix these issues. That adds value. They should forget DRM and 'licensing' and let us own the music as we always have. And they better not charge much because Limewire, though faulty, is free. They need to look at advertising models.
I buy a ton of music. but I also rip a bunch. As long as record companies continue to try to exert control, thats what I will do. And millions like me will do the same.
Don't try to tell us you have a kinder, gentler DRM. Just sell us the damned music. If its high quality and packaged well, we'll buy it.
Its either that or Limewire. Period.
kipmartin
mjmahon
Posted 5:52 AM 26/3/08
When will record industry execs stop thinking inside the box? Subscriptions for music is an awful awful idea, and even worse when you consider the kind of terrible non-music that is being released today.
Subscriptions MIGHT work for an indie label, like Merge or even Sub-pop, where rabid fans will eat up whatever they release (where A&R actually makes a difference).
No one's going to want to side with any of the big 4. They release too much shit music.
mjmahon
ronnsprocket
Posted 5:52 AM 26/3/08
"sit on a fat pipe"
GROSS!!!!!!!
ronnsprocket
Galley
Posted 5:52 AM 26/3/08
@Mayor McRib:
Sony BMG realized years ago that no one actually liked this service, which is whey they came out with YourMusic.com. They only send you what you choose, and all CDs are $6.99 with free shipping.
Galley
Elijah-M
Posted 5:52 AM 26/3/08
It sounds to me like they're considering a DRM-free subscription model similar to that of eMusic, which is a deal I would take… provided that the selection is robust, and they offer their tracks at a respectable bitrate. While this would obviously be a better deal if every label in the world were involved, Sony/BMG has a HUGE back catalog. I can't imagine that I would have a problem burning through 50 downloads a month.
Not that I'm holding my breath or anything.
Elijah-M
Miranda Kali
Posted 5:52 AM 26/3/08
To be honest, I used to think of such "smorgasbord" deals as a scam as well.
I've gotten to the point, though, where I'd love to be able to check out a lot of new music without having to shell out a small fortune.
Something like this would be a nice alternative to XM or Sirus. If they keep the price below fifteen bucks a month, I'd be tempted...(and, of course, kept the purchases DRM-free. That's a must.)
Miranda Kali
Mayor McRib
Posted 5:52 AM 26/3/08
I think BMG is trying to make the "Buy 13 CD's for $1" offer enter the 21st Century. Just imagine, you download 13 albums, or a set amount of songs for a buck, agree to digitally download at least 3 albums for around $20 each over the next 2 years to fulfill the contract. Genius...
Mayor McRib
bpatten
Posted 5:52 AM 26/3/08
@MINI Driver:
Also,
If you burn it to a cd, they'll sue you.
If you play it on an unauthorized computer, they'll sue you
If you play it on an unauthorized device, they'll sue you
If you so much as breathe an a manner which displeases them, they'll sue you
Consider all the litigation you're paying for with your money! what a deal!
bpatten
frigg
Posted 5:52 AM 26/3/08
It's like all you can eat, but you're only allowed one food group! No thanks.
frigg
pomophobe
Posted 5:52 AM 26/3/08
Trent Reznor.
pomophobe
MINI Driver
Posted 5:52 AM 26/3/08
So I give people money, for music I never really own - and if I stop paying it goes away..
Sounds like a deal......
MINI Driver
Dark-Dx
Posted 8:15 AM 26/3/08
Buy a 160Gb ipod (let's be honest, 160gb is maybe too much but not so much after you read the next step) > Play it on a mac or pc > Capture the sound with Audio hijack pro (there are programs for windows too) > set it to save the music in umcompressed format > trascode to ALAC > there you go your drm free without transcoding-related loss of quality, you will also have bigger files too.
Dark-Dx