Napster invades Britain
p2pnet.net News:- Roxio’s Napster II isn’t exactly thriving in the US, and one wonders how well it’ll do in Canada where it’s set up shop although file sharing is legal there.
In other words, Canadians can pay for Napster II’s boring titles from the Big Music’s paltry cataolgue instead of downloading songs for free from the millions available through the p2p networks.
Now comes the news that this summer, the moggie plans to try the UK as well.
“[...] the recently-reformed Napster has signed up the consumer-electronics company to further its cause,” says silicon.com here.
“Dixons will push Napster via its network of Dixons, Currys, The Link and PC World stores, with Napster now signed up as Dixons’ only music-download buddy.
“Dixons will promote Napster by shipping all of its own-brand PCs with Napster 2.0 software preinstalled on the machines and a ‘unique offer’ for the premium service thrown in.”
Looks like Dixons is doing all the work. And it’ll need to.
Net revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003 was $120.4 million, as compared to net revenue of $142.5 million for fiscal 2002,” says Roxio here.
“Roxio’s GAAP net loss for fiscal 2003 was $9.9 million … compared to GAAP net income of $2.3 million … in fiscal 2002.”
May 8th, 2004 at 5:02 am
It’s becoming clear that Big Music couldn’t care if these services succeed. Rumours of pricing up iTunes is the same. We know digital is the future, but the labels clinging to their sinking model and obstructing these services is sad to watch. Sad for consumers, sad for Napster, sad for the label’s owners. Only those record execs clinging to their jobs for a little longer benefit. When will the shareholders scale the walls? Do we have to wait until broadband penetrates to 60% of homes and the music market is 30% of its peak? Look at Taiwan and Korea.