EMI in US music download deal

Music fans in the US are to be given the chance to download music by artists such as Pink Floyd and Joe Cocker following the announcement of EMI's "enhanced" digital download distribution programme.

As part of its new strategy, EMI will let punters purchase radio singles from albums that have yet to be released. It will also give consumers the chance to download tracks permanently and give them the opportunity to burn a limited number of tracks.

From December 1, consumers in the US will be able to download tracks from thousands of EMI's artists after the music outfit signed distribution deals with a rack of operators including AOL, Yahoo! and MSN.

EMI has already made its recordings available to more than 60 companies around the world, mainly as temporary downloads or streaming audio formats.

According to EMI, this new approach gives its distributors more flexibility to flog EMI's music to consumers.

In a statement David Munns, Chairman and CEO of EMI Recorded Music North America said: "This is the next step in our plan to give consumers our music in the formats they are demanding today, and to give our distributors maximum flexibility to offer a wider range of options and a deep selection of music."

Artists to be made available include David Bowie, Coldplay, Kylie Minogue, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Nat King Cole. ®