Microsoft and MTV are teaming up to offer music downloads for everything except iPods.

The service, called URGE, will be the default setting in the next version of Windows Media Player.

It will offer over 2m songs at launch, available to download from 90 cents. As well as charging for individual tracks users will be able to subscribe for unlimited monthly downloads. MTV is also preparing its own material for release.

But they'll have a tough fight on their hands dealing with market leader Apple and its iTunes service - depending how you count they have about 80 per cent of market share.

Read the original announcement release here or CBS here or there's more on Microsoft's site here.®