PlayLouder to offer music downloads on MSN and Tiscali
By Dan Williamson, London, Revolution UK Online, August 16, 2002
Online music firm PlayLouder is to launch a music download subscription service on MSN and Tiscali.
PlayLouder will offer users of both portals a compilation of alternative music tracks plus reviews from its music site (www.playlouder.com).
Services will be powered by download firm On Demand Distribution (OD2), which was founded by ex-Genesis front man Peter Gabriel. Visitors will be able to download new samples every month, with tracks becoming unusable at the end of each period if ‘permanent’ versions of the compilation aren’t purchased.
A spokesman for PlayLouder said the service should be available from September, but could not confirm what it would cost. “We get commission, but it’s up to MSN and Tiscali what they charge,” he said.
PlayLouder’s ability to offer the service follows an agreement to license its portfolio of digital music from the Beggars Group of labels to OD2 and its online music subscription service, WebAudioNet.
The agreement means OD2’s service will host material from music labels including XL Recordings, Beggars Banquet, Mo’Wax and music acts including Prodigy, Basement Jaxx and White Stripes.
