Sony Launches Subscription Internet Music Service

From PC World: Sony launched a subscription streaming music service on Wednesday, furthering its plan to offer a range of content via the Internet to its consumer electronics devices.

The service, called "Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity," will initially be available in the U.K. and Ireland, but Sony plans to expand it to more countries in 2011. It expects to add at least Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, New Zealand and the U.S. next year.

Consumers will need a 2010-model network-enabled Bravia TV, Blu-ray Disc player, personal computer or a PlayStation 3 games console to access the service, which will offer 6 million songs at launch, said Kaz Hirai, who runs Sony's network services division and also heads its game business. He was speaking in Tokyo.

Two service options are available. The basic plan will offer dozens of genre-specific and era-specific channels of non-stop music, and a premium service will add on-demand access to all songs in the library and additional channels with new music. Sony said music from all four major record companies -- Universal, Sony, Warner and EMI -- and from many independent labels is available.

The basic plan will carry a monthly cost of £3.99 (US$6.18) or €3.99 ($5.25) and the premium service will cost £9.99 or €9.99 per month.

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