UBC To Launch Music Download Service Before Year End

UBC Media will be rolling out its music downloading service before the end of 2006, with the Group reaching agreements with BT Movio, Carphone Warehouse and Chrysalis Radio to enable a trial of the service.

The radio producer announced that it had developed software and licensing agreements allowing it to operate a system using digital radio data spectrum to download music files into mobile phones at the end of last year (see UBC Sees Radio Revenues Increase By 20%).

Earlier this year, BT Movio announced the launch of a new handset giving users access to a package of digital TV channels and more than 400 national and local DAB digital radio stations.

BT Movio has agreed to work with UBC on the development of this service for the trial. This will take place in two phases. The first phase will see the software implemented on a restricted number of test devices, with the service made commercially available in December (see ‘Real’ Mobile TV System To Launch Within Four Months).

Chrysalis Radio’s ‘Heart’ stations will be used as the DAB radio service for the trial.

Commenting on the scheme, Phil Riley, chief executive of Chrysalis Radio, said: “The future of radio is digital and the ability to download music from radio stations is a an important part of that future. This is a very exciting development.”

Simon Cole, chief executive officer of UBC Media, continued: “We have for a long time said that interactive subscription services were the future of digital radio. Today’s news brings that vision very much closer to reality. The commercial implications for future radio revenues are huge.”

BT’s first Movio customer is Virgin Mobile, which will roll the service out towards the end of the year (see BT Signs Deals For TV Content And Mobile Platform). However, both companies are keen to focus on customer service and quality to avoid a repeat of the under whelming experience of many early adopters of 3G.

UBC Media Group: 020 7453 16001 www.ubcmedia.com