MTV’s URGE set to launch on May 17th.

From AP Business:

At launch, URGE will have more than 2 million tracks, which can be purchased individually at 99 cents or as full albums starting at around $9.95.

The service also will offer unlimited downloads at a monthly rate of $9.95, or $14.95 for the ability to transfer songs to any of more than 100 compatible portable music players.

URGE is entering a tough field, but one that needs more competition.  I wonder how this will compare to current programs offered by Real, MSN and Yahoo!

I am tired of being “tied” to my iTunes and iPod.  We need more flexibility as consumers to move our music from place to place and from player to player.  I think we will see some antitrust examination in the next adminsitration.  The French had the right idea, for once, in bringing their action against Apple’s iTunes (otherwise I am usually appalled by their attempts to regulate the Internet). 

Nowhere else is the kind of complete ownership of a vertical market allowed in this fashion.  It reminds me of the old example of the movie studios owning the actors, the production, the distribution and the movie theaters.

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