Microsoft readies Spotify rival

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 14 Jul 2009 at 09:06

Microsoft has confirmed it is preparing to launch a music-streaming service in the UK.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Peter Bale, executive producer of MSN claimed: "Music is an important area for Microsoft. We are looking at launching a music streaming service imminently. It will be a similar principle to Spotify but we are still examining how the business model will work."

"We are looking at how other similar businesses have structured their business models and trying to figure out what will work best for both consumer and Microsoft," he adds.

Spotify allows users to stream music for free in return for listening to around a minute's worth of adverts every half hour. There's also a premium version of the service, which charges £9.99 to turn the adverts off.

Though the service has proved exceptionally popular, it remains unclear whether it's financially viable, making Microsoft's move all the more surprising.

One intriguing possibility would see the music service tied into the Zune music player, but as that is US only at the moment the chances seem remote.

It is thought the service would be powered by technology recently acquired from Musiwave.