Two Million Tracks Downloaded Since Launch
NEW YORK, NY and LONDON -- (MARKET WIRE) -- October 18, 2006 -- eMusic (www.emusic.com), the world's largest retailer of independent music and the world's second-largest digital music service, today announces that it has acquired more than 20,000 subscribers across the European Union. eMusic also reports that more than two million tracks have been downloaded in Europe since its beta launch on August 10.
eMusic believes these figures indicate that in just two months eMusic has become the number two digital music service in Europe. The company officially launched the full version of its service in Europe on September 12, becoming the first digital music service available throughout the EU.
"European music lovers searching for a digital music service that truly helps them discover new music and doesn't handicap them with DRM have finally found a home," said David Pakman, eMusic President and CEO. "Selling two million tracks in Europe in two months speaks volumes about the unmet demand for universally-compatible and well-priced digital music services in Europe."
eMusic offers more than 1.7 million tracks from 8,500 of the world's top independent labels, successfully targeting consumers interested in music outside the commercial mainstream. It features established and emerging artists in every genre: rock, jazz, hip-hop, blues, classical, country, folk, electronic, world and reggae, including familiar names such as Johnny Cash, Bob Marley, Ray Davies, Miles Davis, Paul Weller, M.I.A. and Basement Jaxx. A subscription-based service unlike any other, eMusic allows consumers to own, not rent their music. eMusic supplies tracks in the universally-compatible MP3 format, which works on every device including the market-leading iPod®. With its rich editorial content and low price per download, eMusic encourages people to discover new music.
eMusic launched with the support of prominent European brands to reach millions of potential customers. Media partnerships with GCAP Media's Classic FM and Haymarket's Stuff magazine have reached new subscribers via online promotions, advertorials and TV/radio advertising. In addition, leading High Street bank, Lloyds TSB, offered eMusic downloads as an incentive for students during Freshers' Week. Currently, marketing partnerships with Archos, NetGear and Box Media, among others, are bundling eMusic downloads with millions of MP3 players and PCs and offering them to consumers through in-box promotions.
About eMusic
eMusic (http://www.emusic.com) is the world's leading digital retailer of independent music, second only to iTunes in number of downloads sold. The eMusic web site offers a global catalogue of more than 1.7 million tracks from established and emerging artists in every genre from the world's leading independent labels. Created by music experts for music fans, it features award-winning editorial content, a vibrant online community and unrivaled music discovery tools. A subscription-based service that offers 25 free downloads at sign-up, eMusic gives consumers an inexpensive, low-risk way to explore great new music they wouldn't find otherwise, and unlike other download services, its universally-compatible MP3 files play on any device including the iPod®. Based in New York with an office in London, eMusic.com Inc. is wholly owned by Dimensional Associates, Inc., the private equity arm of JDS Capital Management, Inc.
Contact:
Donna Amato David Milsom +44 (0) 870 9905 425 [email protected]
Cathy Halgas Nevins eMusic +1 212-201-9201 [email protected]
