VERIZON SEES RHAPSODY
ON HORIZON
Some of us have been saying all along that you’re better off, in these post-bubble times, going where there’s a crowd already.
It comes as little surprise, therefore, that Listen.com’s Rhapsody subscription service has partnered with Verizon Online to offer streaming music from all the major labels (and quite a few indies) to Verizon’s 1.5 million DSL customers for 10 clams a month.
Verizon's also offering a free month of Rhapsody to DSL subscribers who sign up by Halloween.
"DSL customers are ideally equipped to enjoy Rhapsody because their broadband connection gives them greater speed and convenience," proclaims Listen Prexy/CEO Sean Ryan. "Rhapsody provides unlimited streaming access to a compelling service with thousands of albums and artists from every genre of music."
You’d think that quote was created for Sean, but he really talks like that. It takes him like half an hour to order a burger.
Anyhoo, Listen continues to tout its 230,000-plus-strong database of licensed tracks, which can be streamed from playlists or as albums. Users also have access to Rhapsody’s Net radio stations and can even customize their own channels. With playlist-sharing among users, Rhapsody hopes to replicate some of the community aspects that bolstered Napster’s allure.
"Now our customers can create custom playlists so they can enjoy all their favorite artists whenever they want," said VP Marketing, Verizon Advanced Services John Wimsatt. "It's like having a jukebox right in your PC. If only there were a way to have a bar there, too."
Wow, isn’t it great that a legal service is hooking up with a major Internet Service Provider to bring authorized digital music to the masses? Too bad Verizon is being sued by the majors—for not being willing to rat out a user with too many songs in the ol’ share folder.
That story, as they say, makes its own gravy.
