Universal Music and Virgin Media to Offer Unlimited Downloads

Universal Music and Virgin Media unveiled plans today for a digital music service allowing unlimited music downloads for a monthly fee.

The service will allow Virgin Media customers to stream and download as many tracks as they want from Universal’s catalogue, in return for a monthly subscription fee. Universal Music is home to artists including Amy Winehouse, U2, Kanye West and Elton John.

Virgin Media is currently negotiating with “other UK major and independent music labels and publishers” to offer a “complete” catalogue by the time of launch. The partnership is intended to launch later this year.

Today's announcement comes on the eve of the publication of Lord Carter's Digital Britain report, which is expected to contain more stringent measures to tackle illegal downloading of music, films and TV shows.

In addition Universal Music and Virgin Media say they will work together on anti-piracy initiatives to protect the music company's intellectual property to "drive a material reduction in the unauthorised distribution of [Universal's] repertoire across Virgin Media's network".

This will include raising awareness of online piracy, legal downloading alternatives and, as a last resort for "persistent offenders", temporarily cutting users’ internet access. However, no users will be permanently disconnected and the partners will also be working on educational measures.

Universal Music Group International chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge described the service as “world class”. He said “Britain has a world-class reputation for artists and music.”

“Now British consumers will have access to a world-class digital music service, I believe this puts all of us at the forefront of a new era.” He added.

Virgin Media CEO Neil Berkett adds, "In terms of both convenience and value, our new music service will be superior to anything that's available online today and provides a fair deal for both consumers and artists.”

“There is no better example of Virgin Media's commitment to harnessing digital technology to give customers what they want, when they want and how they want."