eMusic Adds Warner Music Group To Catalog

In Talks To Add Streaming

(UPDATED) Digital music download subscription service eMusic has added the Warner Music Group family of labels to its offering in the US. The agreement includes Atlantic Records, Rhino Records and Warner Bros. Records as well as indies distributed through WMG’s ADA. Sony signed with eMusic last year, but thus far Unive rsal and EMI have not.

eMusic sells monthly memberships starting at $11.99 for 24 tracks making the effective single track price $.50 or less under some plans; significantly less than many of its competitors  eMusic says it has has sold more than 350 million downloads under its current ownership.

In Talks With Labels To Add Streaming:

"We have a bunch of things in store for 2010 that will allow us to grow again and that includes streaming," acting CEO Danny Stein told Reuters. "The biggest issue comes with the rights holders being able to take on new business models. Apple's recent purchase of Lala, the launch og MOG in the U.S., Spotify's EU success, and the popularity of mobile apps for Pandora and others are all seen as proof that 2010 will be the year that music streaming goes mainstream.

From the WMG eMusic press release:

“As a leader in the music industry’s transition to a predominantly digital music business, we have worked hard to encourage and support innovative partners and creative business models that offer our artists unique ways to reach their fans,” said Stephen Bryan, Senior Vice President, Digital Strategy and Business Development, WMG. “We are pleased to be making our music available to eMusic’s passionate membership.”

“Our editors look forward to contextualizing WMG's catalog with the unique eMusic sensibility our members have come to expect,” said Danny Stein, eMusic President and CEO. “We're excited to work with Warner Music Group's labels, and by focusing on their hidden gems as well as classic albums, help them increase sales across their entire catalog.”