MTV loses URGE, joins RealNetworks to combat iTunes

by Brad Linder Aug 21st 2007

MTV is expected to announce today that it will partner with RealNetworks, merging the two company's online music services.

This probably means the end of MTV's URGE music site, which probably won't affect much of anyone. As far as we can tell, you could count the number of URGE subscribers on one hand. And you might not need all your fingers.

Anyway, URGE had been a partnership between MTV and Microsoft. But Microsoft has been focusing on its Zune Marketplace since launching its iPod competitor. So it makes sense for MTV to partner up with RealNetworks, the company behind the subscription-based Rhapsody music service.

Whether MTV/Rhapsody will make a dent in Apple's market share remains to be seen. But so far Apple has yet to offer a subscription model for iTunes, so it should be interesting to see if Rhapsody's pay a monthly fee for all the music you want model will gain any traction with MTV's brand name and music library.

Verizon Wireless has also signed on to distribute MTV/RealNetworks content to mobile devices.

Tags: itunes, mtv, music, realnetworks, rhapsody, verizon wireless, VerizonWireless

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

thehack said 5:31PM on 8-21-2007

I think the position of Apple and iTunes is insurmountable by any current business model I am aware of. Apples lead is to great and the tie in with the best selling mp3 player simply makes it to much. Something truly new and innovative has to come along to change the situation. Or a meteor has to strike Cupertino. One or the other.

http://geekwonk.com/

alyson said 11:52PM on 8-22-2007

Rhapsody sucks. They have a very limited selection based on the latest pop culture but if you try to find old school songs or even lesser known bands, you will come up empty handed.

Also once you sign up they deduct a monthly fee without any kind of regular notification which can blindside your bank account.

weeseman said 6:43PM on 10-01-2007

i would like to know how much money to download URGE

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