AfterDawn: News

According to research group Forrester music services from Internet portals, such as MSN and Tiscali, will be able to get a head start to European music download markets before Napster and Apple announce their own services. In addition to having the possibility to advertise their services throughout existing networks of sites, ISPs will have existing methods for billing their customers directly.

Over time, however, Apple's iTunes service will be able to overtake many of the smaller portals thanks to it's strong brand name and ease of use -- especially with portable iPod-player -- Forrester predicts. Several portal services in Europe are offering content provided by On Demand Distribution, OD2.



The year 2004 has been predicted as a breakthrough year for music download services in Europe.

"In 2004, a combination of legal action by the music industry and expansion of legitimate services will cause a watershed in the download market," said Rebecca Jennings, Senior Analyst for Forrester Research.

Source: PC Pro

Written by: Jari Ketola @ 3 Feb 2004 12:45