In an Australian first, music lovers will now be able to visit an Australian online music store and download tracks in MP3 format from all four major record labels and leading independent labels.
BigPond has reached agreements with the major record labels to offer MP3 music downloads; a format that is compatible with all standard music players including the popular iPod as well as Sony Walkman and a wide range of portable digital music players and home media centres.
“BigPond now gives iPod users an alternative place to purchase their favourite music in a format that will work on their player. And if they are BigPond customers they will save money on the tracks and download them free of data charges,” BigPond Group Managing Director, Justin Milne, said today.
"BigPond is changing the online music game by creating a truly open world that puts consumers in the driving seat,” he said.
"Until now many people found it complex to download music legally, and ended up frustrated when they discovered their music was locked onto a single device or was impossible to transfer to the player of their choice. But from today BigPond's new service means consumers can transfer tracks from their computer to almost any device they care to use," Mr Milne said.
“We are confident the popularity of the MP3 format, our Australian-first agreement with all the top music labels and the power of the BigPond brand will mean customers will be clicking and downloading from us because we are the only place in Australia to offer legal downloads in MP3 format from all the major labels,” Mr Milne said.
The agreements will see BigPond offer music from record labels Sony BMG, Universal Music, Warner Music and EMI, as well as leading Australian independent record labels and distributors including MGM, Inertia, Liberation, IODA, and AmpHead. It means BigPond will be the leading Australian online music store offering MP3s from the top record labels.
The MP3 format is the most widely supported digital music format in the world, and is free of Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology that locks downloads onto a limited range of devices or platforms. MP3 is compatible with all standard music player software including Windows Media Player, iTunes and RealPlayer and can be played on all types of iPod.
BigPond’s MP3 catalogue is available encoded at 256kbps and 320kbps – the highest quality digital audio from any Australian music download store. This means customers will be able to enjoy an enhanced listening experience with music from BigPond.
The simple new service will appeal to the seven out of ten Australians who – according to the inaugural BigPond Australian Music Consumption Survey which was released today – don't purchase music online because they are confused by the complex combination of devices, platforms and systems needed to make it work.
"BigPond's MP3 catalogue makes it simpler for people to purchase their music online whether it is on their BigPond bill, credit card or using one of our BigPond Music Pre-Paid cards," Mr Milne said.
Universal Music Australia Managing Director, George Ash, said:
“Universal Music Australia is excited to be working in partnership with BigPond Music. We look forward to working with them in the future, and the creation of many more ground-breaking, consumer focused campaigns.”
Sony BMG Music Entertainment Australia and New Zealand Chairman and CEO, Denis Handlin AM said:
“We welcome the launch of BigPond Music’s MP3 download store. We have been working with Telstra with its Music strategy over a number of years and we believe this is a major step in further building strong retail download services in Australia.”
Warner Music Australia President and Chief Executive Officer, Ed St John, said:
“The future of the music industry relies on the growth in legitimate digital music sales; and we can only have a healthy digital music industry when consumers have the opportunity to purchase music anywhere, any time and with the capacity to load it onto any device they choose. We welcome this latest initiative from BigPond and applaud their commitment to operating a legitimate music download service.”
Chief Executive Officer, EMI Music Australia, John O’Donnell said:
"EMI Music will always advocate a consumer focused offering, as exemplified with this store. We look forward to growing the Australian digital music market with our valued retail partner, Telstra."
BigPond was the first company to launch an Australian music download store and now offers the most comprehensive range of digital music services in Australia. BigPond’s offerings include mobile downloads, ringtones, caller tones, videos, a 24/7 online music TV channel and exclusive cross platform live music events such as Monday Night Live.
With all four major labels signed to BigPond Music for MP3s, and negotiations underway with more independents, the MP3 catalogue will grow significantly over the coming months.
BigPond Music facts
BigPond Music is available to all Australians, whether or not they are BigPond customers, however BigPond members receive a discount of 12% on track sales and 9% on album sales. Content for BigPond customers is unmetered and does not count towards data usage. BigPond will not charge a premium price for MP3 format.
The inaugural BigPond Australian Music Consumption Survey found:
- 70% of Australians don’t purchase music online because they find the number of devices, platforms and systems confusing
- Only 25% of Australians (and 20% of all retirees) currently purchase music online
- The three primary reasons people purchase music online are the convenience (33%), flexibility to select purchase a single track or the entire album (31%), and variety of music on offer (17%)
- More than 80% of Australians who have an MP3 player agreed that they would benefit from an Australian online MP3 store
The survey also showed state-based variation in the consumption of online music:
- Western Australia had the highest proportion (57%) of residents preferring online music.
- The Northern Territory had the lowest proportion (16.5%) of residents preferring online music.
- The Australian Capital Territory had the highest proportion of residents who had occasionally or regularly purchased music online (85%)
- Tasmanians are the least likely to purchase music online, with 55% stating they have never purchased music online.
1 The research was commissioned by BigPond and conducted by PureProfile from 18-23 July 2008. The sample included 1000 respondents across all states and territories, weighted accordingly to the population in each state.