MTV, RealNetworks partner to challenge iTunes [updated]

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MTV, RealNetworks partner to challenge iTunes [updated]

Viacom’s MTV Networks is ready to announce that it is merging its online digital music offerings into a new venture with RealNetworks in an effort to better compete with iTunes, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The new joint venture will reportedly use Verizon Wireless for mobile distribution of content, a move that provides the service additional leverage against Apple and iTunes, following the launch of the AT&T-only iPhone. The report also claims that the venture will be headed by Michael Bloom, who currently heads Urge for MTV Networks. The new venture effectively signals the end of the Urge service, which was announced in partnership with Microsoft last year.

Update: In an official announcement, Real and MTV revealed that they are uniting Real’s Rhapsody service and MTV’s URGE service in a single offering from a new company, Rhapsody America, that will be the exclusive digital music service for Real and for MTV Networks in the United States. Through the new company both Real and MTV have formed a long-term exclusive relationship with Verizon Wireless. As part of that relationship, Rhapsody will be fully integrated with Verizon’s VCAST Music service. As of today, users of MTV’s URGE service can use their existing usernames and passwords to log in to Rhapsody and get access to both services.

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Comments

1

“Whirly, whirly twist n twirl jump around like a flying squirrel”

How nice that they left URGE behind and partnered up with RealNetworks….when that fails they can leave Real and partner up with someone else.

These guys jump around so much in business model after business model, its a wonder people still buy music from them at all.

Posted by unreal on August 21, 2007 at 6:14 AM (PST)

2

They ditched Microsoft and joined up with RealNetworks. Interesting. At least they use AAC.

Posted by Galley in Greenville, SC on August 21, 2007 at 6:19 AM (PST)

3

Realnetworks will partner with satan if the chance comes up. Their player is utter crap, their service is less than utter crap. They should do us all a favor and go bankrupt and vanish.

Posted by Don Trammell on August 21, 2007 at 7:05 AM (PST)

4

Just watch the fit hit the shan when iTunes purchasing become available on the iPhone!

Posted by The Raven on August 21, 2007 at 10:28 AM (PST)

5

I have two words for Viacom & MTV- So what?

When will these lame companies realize that in the busy modern lives we have we don’t have the time to bounce from website to website trying to buy music from difference souces- I don’t have that kind of time to waste.
I-Tunes is reliable, one stop shopping- I’m not going anywhere else. so give it up….

Posted by Hatman on August 21, 2007 at 11:09 AM (PST)

6

Heck- I don’t even have time to spell correctly. (I know, I know - there’s always time to spell correctly…)

Posted by Hatman on August 21, 2007 at 11:12 AM (PST)

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