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Report: Amazon Launching Music Service This Summer -- Without New Hits
May 29, 2014 at 3:27 PM (PT)
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The longest-running rumor in the music business -- that AMAZON will launch its own music streaming service (NET NEWS, 2/27) -- looks like it will finally come true this summer, BUZZFEED reports. The as-yet-unnamed Prime music service -- which will be part of its existing Prime service -- is scheduled to launch this JUNE or JULY, but it will only feature catalog to songs and albums that are six months old and older.
Similar to Prime Instant Video, the Prime music service will only offer "a potluck of select songs and albums it has licensed from labels at a discount." Up to now, AMAZON has only secured licensing deals with SONY MUSIC and WARNER MUSIC GROUP, but not UMG. That distinguishes it from the prevailing business model of stand-alone streaming competitors like SPOTIFY, RDIO and BEATS MUSIC, all of which have tried to lure customers by promising all of the world’s music with a few precious exceptions.
AMAZON customers will get all aspects of the Prime service -- the music service, movies and TV shows via Instant Video, an eBooks lending library for its popular KINDLE reader, and free two-day shipping for $99 per year.

