Yahoo! Music

Yahoo! Music
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Yahoo! Music, provided by the Yahoo! network, is a provider of a variety of music services, including Internet radio, music videos, news, artist information, and original programming.
Previously referred to simply as "LAUNCH" (and rebranded "Yahoo! Music" or simply "Y! Music" in February 2005), it began as a magazine by the same title that was issued in both standard print format and as an interactive CD-ROM. Eventually the print version was eliminated and subscribers were only sent the CD-ROM version. It contained video interviews, live performances and special video segments by music stars as well as standard (but interactive) music magazine features. Eventually the company, LAUNCH Media, offered music videos over the Internet and started LAUNCHcast Internet radio in 1999. LAUNCH was purchased by Yahoo! for US$12 million in 2001 and integrated into their website. The website also features artist profiles with extensive selections of music and biographical information.
Yahoo! Music was the #1 online music site in terms or audience reach and total time spent as of March 2007.


New version

A banner has recently started appearing on the UK region for Y! Music asking users to fill in a survey to help them create the next version of Y! Music. The banner shows a small screenshot of the new version showing a new white/purple colour scheme instead of the current different shades of purple. It is also a sign of the possible launch of a UK music store to compete with iTunes and Napster.


Products
  • LAUNCHcast and LAUNCHcast Plus Internet radio
  • Yahoo! Music Jukebox
  • Yahoo! Music Unlimited subscription streaming and download service
  • Music videos
  • Live Sets - Exclusive video concerts from A-list artists
  • Who's Next - Listeners vote on emerging artists
  • Pepsi Smash on Yahoo! Music - Exclusive video interviews, performances, and reality segments
  • Artist profiles
  • Lyrics
  • Official Grammy Awards coverage

Key dates

In 2001, Yahoo! purchased LAUNCH Media, makers of the LAUNCHcast Internet radio service.
On September 14, 2004, Yahoo! purchased Musicmatch, Inc., makers of the Musicmatch Jukebox software. As of Musicmatch 10.1, Yahoo! has rebranded Musicmatch Jukebox as Y! Music Musicmatch Jukebox, and integrated it with the Yahoo! Music Engine store. The main difference is the branding and physical program.
In 2005, Yahoo! Music became the first major online music service to provide a $5 per month unlimited download service similar to the Open Music Model, albeit with digital rights management, called Yahoo! Music Unlimited.


Notes and references

Comscore Media Metrix Accessed May 2, 2007.