Rhapsody in Green: MTV, Real and Verizon team up to compete with iTunes
By Ema Kwiatkowski
RealNetworks, MTV, and Verizon, today announced they are teaming up to create a ‘iTunes killer’ music service that consumers can access via their PC, portable music device or mobile phone. This powerful alliance will form a new company, Rhapsody America.
Rob Glaser, chairman and CEO, RealNetworks announced, “By partnering with MTV Networks, home of the most storied brands in music history, and the market’s leading wireless company, Verizon Wireless, we’ll make Rhapsody the premier digital music service that delivers great music to millions of consumers whenever and wherever they want.”
Real and MTV have formed a long-term exclusive relationship with Verizon Wireless. Thus giving us yet another cell phone provider with a product that you can only get with one company. Rhapsody America will be fully integrated with Verizon’s VCAST Music, making it easy to access music on your VCAST phone. John Stratton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Verizon, said, “Verizon’s alignment with these two great companies — MTV Networks’ music and youth marketing expertise with RealNetworks’ acclaimed service and technology — promises to propel digital music into an exciting new future. Together, our three companies will provide a new, unbeatable digital music experience that will give every consumer a way to get music quickly and easily — whether sitting in front of a computer screen or on-the-go with a mobile device.”
When asked about the availability of DRM-free music on Rhapsody America, a spokesperson stated that as long as record labels continue to offer DRM-free music, it will be available to Rhapsody America customers.
Pricing plans have not been announced, but Rhapsody America expects to offer customers options for both subscriptions services and pay-for-ownership. A launch date has not been announced, but MTV will be integrating marketing for the service into the 2007 MTV Video Music awards already this September 9th.
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