Provided in partnership with mobile network operators, broadband providers and device vendors, MusicStation Desktop Edition gives consumers the freedom to download, play and share the world’s music, direct to their desktop computer.
Screen Digest (March 2009) predicted that global mobile full track music and video subscription revenues will be worth €947 million by 2012; almost double mobile a-la-carte revenues (€586 million). By 2013, subscription revenues will be worth €1015 million compared to €607 million for a-la-carte.
Omnifone announced that Hutchison Telecom Hong Kong is the first mobile operator to introduce the MusicStation Dual Download service on its mobile network. With unlimited access to more than 1.3 million tracks from all the major and leading independent labels 3 Hong Kong MusicStation users enjoy the offer to extend their unlimited music experience from mobile to PC for HK$15 per week (originally HK$12 MusicStation Mobile), starting 26 March 2009.
Rob Lewis, CEO at Omnifone, commented: “The introduction of MusicStation Desktop Edition enables our partners to deliver interoperable unlimited music services to PC and mobile, generating significant revenues from digital music consumption. With the music industry facing 95% piracy rates, Omnifone’s subscription based music services provide a legitimate alternative to illegal P2P filesharing, delivering unlimited access to millions of tracks over multiple device platforms.”
Omnifone has international licensing agreements in place for unlimited music downloads with all four major music labels and thousands of independents for MusicStation Desktop Edition providing users with unlimited access to a vast catalogue of music. MusicStation Desktop Edition provides a fully personalised user experience, featuring play-based music recommendations, connected community functions, instant search and discovery capabilities as well as ‘drag and drop’ music sharing between devices and friends.
Christine Binns, analyst at Screen Digest, stated: "The physical music market is in steep, terminal decline as consumers continue the switch to digital and online piracy increases. The current physical market stands at under half of its reported value in 2001. The consumer desire for free music is perpetuated by the ready availability of illegal music download services online. Bundling music services into price plans and devices offers a promising alternative to piracy – giving the consumer what they want, music for free, whilst ensuring that rights holders get paid."