NEW YORK (Hypebot) – eMusic is reportedly working on deals with EMI and Universal as part of a plan to relaunch its subscription music service in November. They already have deals with WMG, Sony and many independent labels.
Despite the addition of more major labels, the site is not abandoning its subscription model, which offers plans like 24 downloads a month for $12. But there will be some other big changes on the new site.
Free downloads will be used less often to lure new members and eMusic will become a more open site, eMusic CEO Adam Klein told Reuters. No longer will users need to register a credit card before browsing for tracks.
A major marketing campaign will also accompany the relaunch as part of a plan to reverse a slight decline in membership of around 375,000 delivering $65 million in revenue this year from a peak of 400,000 subscribers in 2008.
Like Google and others, eMusic would also like to launch an online music locker. "Our users are saying you own it so you should be able to listen to it wherever you are," according to Klein. "We're deep in conversations with the labels about licensing for that."
