Pressplay will offer subscribers access to its catalogue of music through streaming, downloading and CD-burning. In addition to music from the three major labels, users will be able to access music from co-operating independent labels.
Pressplay will offer four pricing plans, allowing customers to stream, download and burn a certain number of tracks each month depending on the plan selected. The following are Pressplay’s monthly pricing plans:
- 14-day Free Trial: 200 streams, 20 downloads (for a limited time only)
- Basic Plan - $9.95: 300 streams, 30 downloads
- Silver Plan - $14.95: 500 streams, 50 downloads, 10 burns
- Gold Plan - $19.95: 750 streams, 75 downloads, 15 burns
- Platinum Plan - $24.95: 1000 streams, 100 downloads, 20 burns
It remains to be seen whether Pressplay’s target market will be willing to pay for music services for as long as free on-line services exist which offer a bigger range of songs.
Pressplay uses Microsoft's Windows Media digital rights management technology and Roxio's CD-burning technology which it hopes will avoid future unauthorised copying of the music files.
Universal Music has now come under criticism for attempting to make its customers pay twice for the same songs. Yesterday, it controversially released the first copy-protected music CD in the US, following similar moves in Europe by BMG and Sony. Users of Linux-based PCs or Apple Macs will be unable to play the CD soundtrack “Fast & Furious – More Music” on their computers so, critics argue, if they want to listen to the music on their computers, they will instead need to pay Universal again by using Pressplay.
