|
| CONSUMERS FEEL PRESSPLAY AND MUSICNET OFFER LESS VALUE THAN FREE FILE SHARING NETWORKS |
|
BELMONT, MA - April 22, 2002 - Consumers feel fee-charging music subscription services MusicNet and Pressplay offer less value than free music networks like Kazaa or Audiogalaxy, according to a new report released by Redshift Research (http://www.redshiftresearch.com), a leading authority on digital entertainment and peer-to-peer services.
|
Redshift Research’s new report, “Fighting The File-sharing Dragon,” combines feedback from a panel of digital music consumers with Redshift Research tests of commercial and free music services. It finds that MusicNet, Pressplay and Listen.com’s Rhapsody service lag free music networks like Kazaa and Audiogalaxy in important respects.
|
The number one complaint by consumers is the narrow selection of music offered by the fee-based online music services. Redshift Research’s tests find that, on average, MusicNet, Pressplay and Rhapsody contain only ten percent of the top 100 US singles, and only nine percent of the top 100 albums. MusicNet offers the narrowest selection of music, offering only three percent of hit singles and albums.
|
"Only three current hit singles appear in MusicNet, even though the record labels backing the service account for nearly 40% of the Billboard Hot 100," said Matt Bailey, President of Redshift Research. "Subscription services are not being given the popular music needed to compete against Kazaa and other file sharing networks."
|
As well as including data on music selection, "Fighting The File-sharing Dragon" looks at how commercial online music services compare to Kazaa in terms of speed, portability and sound quality. In addition, consumers are asked their opinions on value-added services such as online artist information, exclusive radio channels and live concert material.
|
About Redshift Research
|
Launched in 2002, Redshift Research provides in-depth research and analysis for the distributed computing and digital entertainment industries. The company's services include research, strategic consulting, litigation support and the analysis and valuation of new market opportunities. Redshift Research was founded by Matt Bailey, a respected digital media analyst and former member of Webnoize Research.
|
