EMusic.com Inc. and Universal Music Group (UMG) today announced a new program that makes available tracks from about 1,000 UMG albums through EMusic’s downloadable music subscription service.
Part of a consumer trial program, the collection represents a cross-section of UMG’s back catalog. The subscription service allows users to download as much music as they want for a monthly fee. The files, in MP3 format, can be played back on the Mac, burned to CD or transferred to MP3 audio players including Apple’s iPod, according to EMusic.
UMG eLabs president Larry Kenswil explained that the new effort is part of an attempt by his company to “expand the ways” it distributes its arts music “through legitimate online services.”
UMG includes record labels like Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, Interscope Geffen A&M, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, MCA Nashville, MCA Records, Mercury, Motown, and more. A free two week trial to EMusic is available online.