Seattle (WA) – MTV Networks, Real Networks and Verizon today announced that they will be forming "Rhapsody America", a new company that will be offering an "integrated digital music experience" for PC, portable music players and cellphones.

According to an announcement made this morning the new service will combine Real Network's Rhapsody music subscription and download platform, MTV's experience gained from knowledge through its joint-venture with Microsoft in URGE and Verizon Wireless' Vcast service.

The companies declined to comment specific product features, but indicated that Rhapsody's feature set will be carried over to Verizon's service while MTV will be leveraged as marketing power within the deal. MTV said that its URGE music service, which was created in collaboration with Microsoft, will remain available in Windows Media Player 11 "until further notice."

Rob Glaser, chief executive officer of Real Networks, noted that Rhapsody's recently announced trial to offer DRM-free music from Universal will carry over into the new service.

Financial details were not announced this morning; however, Glaser told journalists that the company will reveal more information about its investment in this new platform during a conference call at 5 pm EST today.

The word "iTunes" was notably absent during the press briefing. However, all three companies highlighted the not only their intention to smoothly integrate music products into a service that apparently will be accessible through PC and mobile devices, but also the sheer marketing horsepower that can be gained from MTV. Describing the new offering as an "unparalleled service", the three companies are aiming the new "Rhapsody America" squarely against Apple and its iTunes platform.

*yawn* MTV and Real invest in yet another online mu...

Aug 21, 2007 11:35     

*yawn* MTV and Real invest in yet another online music system... and will undoubtedly screw it up like they've done in the past. They don't understand or listen to what people want, they still think they can tell you "this is wht you get" and that people will just step in line and say "oh, thank you, MTV/Real. you're so awesome." Apple is killing them all because Apple makes things simple and unintrusive. You plug the thing in, music goes on it, you listen. Real is all about controlling the content and the message. MTV is just about... screwing up everything they touch. *bah* I'll believe it when I see it.

Maggie report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

DRM?

Aug 21, 2007 11:51     

I wonder what their policy regarding DRM is going to be?
random_guy01 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Really a cool stuff..(Team work works)

Aug 21, 2007 12:05     

Its great that 3 gaints are involved to give a cool stuff, but against the creative fruit [Apple] may not work out :).All the best
Maria report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

"iTunes killer" just like the "iPod killers"

Aug 22, 2007 13:02     

oh yes, this new team will be a "iTunes killer" just like the tons of "iPod killers"... but any way, this is good news because wall mart already down it songs price to 98 or 87 cents, so the war of prices will start, let's hope it came down to 50 cents...
Viktor report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Just give up...

Aug 22, 2007 16:48     

iTunes owns the market. Everything else just bombs. I don't know why anyone is still trying to compete. Personally, I will never pay to download a compressed, protected mp3 when for the same price I can buy the CD.
none report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

re: *yawn* MTV and Real invest in yet another..

Aug 22, 2007 21:54     

"Apple is killing them all because Apple makes things simple and unobtrusive." - Apple is obtrusive. If you install itunes then by diffult every time you boot up your computer there will be a processes running in the background for ipod ( iPodService.exe ) and another one for iphone ( AppleMobileDeviceSerice.exe ). I dont own either of these, so I dont want these tasks to be taking up system resources!!!

jay report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0