COPENHAGEN, Denmark (VIP NEWS) TDC, a leading provider of communications solutions in the Nordic region, has launched a new, ground-breaking music service that offers their Danish mobile and broadband customers unlimited access to music downloads from renowned local and international acts, without additional charge.
Three of the world's major music companies and a large number of Danish music companies are part of TDC's new music service called PLAY, which was launched at midnight on April 1, 2008.
TDC's and YouSee's broadband and mobile customers – with the exception of a few subscriptions types – will be able to download more than one million tracks from artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, REM, Ida Corr, James Blunt, Anne Linnet, Bruce Springsteen, Outlandish, L.O.C, Robbie Williams,TV2, Szhirley and many, many more.
"When our customers wake up tomorrow, we will have changed their everyday lives. They will experience that through PLAY they are suddenly able to download all the music they wish as a part of their subscription from TDC or YouSee, legally and without extra charges," says Jens Alder, President and CEO of TDC.
At present, TDC has entered into agreements with three of the four largest international music companies, EMI, SONY BMG and Warner Music Denmark as well as many Danish independent labels including the MBO group, DIGIDI, Artpeople, Clockwize, House of Scandinavia. The agreements cover both new and catalogue releases.
Under the terms of the deals, the ability to play the downloaded tracks will expire automatically if the customer terminates their subscription. TDC will also offer music fans the opportunity to purchase their favourite tracks for 8dkk (approx. €1) per download.
"It took the right combination of scale and innovation to make such a pioneering idea a reality. TDC has this combination, but fortunately we also met people in the music industry who have also been able to see the possibilities for PLAY," says Jens Alder.
Jens Alder explains the rationale for the launch of PLAY with the fact that both the mobile and broadband market are more or less saturated, and that there is a need for new thinking for telcos to attract more customers.
"Today it is not enough just to offer a smart cell phone or a fast broad band access line. Therefore, we are investing in making music available to our customers, and we believe that we will benefit from it financially and get more satisfied customers," he says.
PLAY is a unique concept and rumours about PLAY have lately been appearing in the international media.
"PLAY is the most important strategic move for TDC in many years. We are setting a new course for the broadband and mobile industries, as we offer our customers unique access to digital music this is an important step in the fight against piracy that has troubled the music industry for many years," says Jens Alder.
Further comments:
Michael Wermuth, General Manager, EMI Music Denmark, says "It is one of our most important missions to make it as easy as possible for the Danes to access our artists' music. PLAY is a fantastic initiative which adds even more possibilities to the music palette".
Jonas Siljemark, President, Warner Music Nordic, says "By offering the PLAY service as part of their mobile and subscription packages, TDC will offer a highly innovative way for their customers to explore and discover music from our local and international acts. A service of this nature has the potential to connect our artists with audiences across a vast spectrum of musical taste and consumer behaviour".
Niels Bak, manager of KODA, says "Much has been said and written about making music flow like water through 'pipes' – TDC is the first telco however to create a music service which makes it easy and legal for their broadband and mobile costumers to enjoy music without extra cost. We are happy to be part of the project and proud that we have succeeded in giving TDC access to a majority of the world's music in one agreement. It is noteworthy that TDC has made a significant effort to include the Danish music, which will be beneficial to those many thousands of Danish artists who are members of KODA".
Henrik Daldorph, General Manager SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT DENMARK A/S and chairman of the Danish ifpi: SONY BMG sees PLAY as a fantastic initiative for both music lovers, artists and music labels. Play will undoubtedly strengthen the digital distribution of music and bring Denmark at the forefront of development of a new music market".
