Sony and the world’s major record labels are starting their own music streaming service Music Unlimited to improve revenue and counter digital piracy.
Unveiled by Sony in September, Music Unlimited had started in the UK and Ireland in December. Now it has commenced in France, Germany, Italy and Spain, Bloomberg report said.
The service is available on Sony’s Playstation 3 game console, Blu-ray Disc player, Bravia televisions, personal computers and on smartphones using Google’s Android operating systems.
Music Unlimited allows Sony Music Entertainment and partners Universal Music Group, EMI Music and Warner Music Group to remove middlemen.
The move is also expected to help record companies compete with Apple’s iTunes Music Store.
In 2010, global digital music sales grew only at 6%, half of what was achieved in the previous year.
Sony Network Entertainment CEO Tim Schaaff said the new streaming service targets the 85% to 90% of consumers who are not using digital music services currently.
Music Unlimited costs 9.99 euros per month for a premium service and 3.99 euros for a basic plan.
