London, 30 November 09 – 7digital.com, the home of MP3 downloads, today continues its European expansion with the launch of two new MP3 stores in Finland and Norway. Starting today, music fans in Finland and Norway can download tracks and albums from a catalogue of over eight million tracks in the high-quality MP3 320kbps format.
The new store launches are the latest example of 7digital’s expansion European. The company now has local stores in 14 European countries, as well as in the US and Canada, making it the largest MP3 retailer on the continent.
7digital’s download partnerships will also be extended to the new territories. Users of Spotify, Last.fm and AOL’s Winamp application will have access to high-quality MP3s via 7digital integrations.
At launch both stores will provide best selling albums at sale prices. The Finnish store will discount top albums to €5.99, while Norway’s will be priced at 56NOK.
Regular tracks and album pricing on the Finnish store are €0.99 and €9.99 respectively. In Norway tracks are 8NOK while albums start at 80NOK. Both stores will sell content from all four major labels plus key independents including Bonnier Amigo, Phonophile and Artspages.
7digital has already provided white label download stores in these territories for clients including Adidas, Mazda, Hugo Boss, and Duracell. The launch of the consumer sites gives 7digital a permanent presence in these countries and also provides potential partners the greatest MP3 reach for download promotions across Europe.
Ben Drury, CEO of 7digital, explains, “This gives us the largest international reach of any MP3 retailer. Our partners and potential clients now have the option to operate digital music promotions across the a vast number of markets, through a single partnership with us”
London, England, 10 November 09 – 7digital.com, a leading digital media company, today announces its BlackBerry app has won the most innovative development at the BlackBerry Developer Challenge 2009, beating 15 other finalists including entries from AFP and CBS.
The win coincides with the launch of an updated version of the music download application for BlackBerry devices. The latest version adds a range of new features to the app, including a download store for Ireland. The upgraded release follows early success of the application, which has been downloaded and installed to over 50,000 BlackBerry devices since its launch last month.
With the 7digital BlackBerry application, BlackBerry smartphone users can wirelessly browse, search, discover and purchase tracks from 7digital.com’s catalogue of over eight million high-quality DRM-free MP3 tracks. The application provides access to content from all four major music labels, as well as key independent labels, and was built using 7digital’s API.
The 7digital BlackBerry application 1.1 has the following new features:
BlackBerry Storm users will also have the option to rotate their display with the new version and have access to an improved My Music touch toolbar.
Ben Drury, CEO 7digital explains, “The original 7digital BlackBerry application was the first MP3 download app to allow users to download music straight to their device. The latest release, barely a month after the original, refines the app further and shows exactly what can be achieved by combining the 7digital API and one of the world’s best mobile devices.”
London, England, 6 October 09 – 7digital.com, a leading digital media company, today announces the launch of its MP3 Music Store application for BlackBerry® smartphones. From today, BlackBerry smartphone users will be able to download the 7digital application for free directly from www.7digital.com/bb or on BlackBerry App WorldTM at http://www.blackberry.com/appworld.
With the 7digital application, BlackBerry smartphone users can wirelessly browse, search, discover and purchase tracks from 7digital.com’s catalogue of over seven million high-quality DRM-free MP3 tracks. The application will provide access to content from all four major music labels as well as key independent labels.
For users on the move, tracks and albums will be delivered to the smartphone over the cellular connection (GPRS, EDGE or 3G) in a lower bit-rate format, allowing a faster download and instant listening. Once the user connects to a Wi-Fi network, the application’s integrated Wi-Fi Auto-Sync technology automatically upgrades the track to a high-quality 320kbps MP3. The application has been created in partnership with DevelopIQ, a BlackBerry® Alliance Program member, using 7digital’s easy to use API (Application Programming Interface).
The 7digital application also allows users to access tracks that they have previously purchased on 7digital.com via the built-in digital locker. Users can listen to their purchased tracks via an advanced media player integrated into the application. The media player also includes built in support for stereo Bluetooth® streaming, allowing users to play their music wirelessly in their car (with a compatible Bluetooth receiver).
Through the 7digital application, users can search for tracks by artist, track title, album title or tags. Tracks can be previewed before they are purchased and new tracks can be discovered through 7digital.com’s recommendation service.
Ben Drury, CEO of 7digital, comments, “We’re excited to be bringing high-quality MP3 over-the-air downloads to the BlackBerry platform. This application demonstrates exactly why we developed our API, to allow third party developers to integrate digital music download functionality into their product offerings. The ability to buy tracks and albums on the move, or on impulse, is what the consumer wants.”
“We’re excited to see 7digital embrace the BlackBerry platform and help developers bring this unique and powerful music service to BlackBerry customers,” said Tyler Lessard, VP Global Alliances & Developer Relations, Research In Motion.
The 7digital application supports the following BlackBerry smartphones: the BlackBerry® BoldTM, BlackBerry® CurveTM 8900, BlackBerry® TourTM, BlackBerry CurveTM 8520and BlackBerry® StormTM smartphones.
LOS ANGELES, October 6, 2009 – 7digital, the digital media delivery company and home of the MP3, today announced its official launch in the United States. The arrival of 7digital provides U.S. consumers with access to millions of DRM-free songs in the MP3 format – including content from Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, EMI Music and independent labels – which can be played and shared across any music-enabled device.
“7digital is the ultimate resource for music aficionados and we’re excited to bring our service to the United States with an extremely compelling consumer offer,” said Ben Drury, CEO of 7digital. “The high-quality, DRM-free MP3 format is what consumers demand, enabling music lovers to enjoy their favorite content anywhere, at any time.”
MP3 downloads from us.7digital.com are compatible with any music player including iPods, iPhones, BlackBerries, MP3 players and mobile phones. 7digital has licensed over 6 million songs for digital distribution globally.
“7digital is a compelling and innovative offering that provides consumers more freedom of choice on where to find and purchase their music online,” stated Amanda Marks, executive vice president and general manager of Universal Music Distribution. “And we are looking forward to working with 7digital to ensure that consumers continue to have access to the widest selection of music possible whenever, wherever and however they want.”
Said Michael Nash, executive vice president, digital strategy and business development, Warner Music Group, “7digital has been a terrific partner for us and a proven hit with consumers in the UK, so we look forward to working with them to bring U.S. music fans another source of high-quality digital music, not only on 7digital.com, but through their compelling mobile applications as well.”
HMV Group, a leading UK retailer of music, DVDs, games and books, recently purchased a 50 percent stake in 7digital to help accelerate the growth of both companies. 7digital is now HMV Group’s single supplier for all existing digital operations.
London, 3 September 09 – 7digital, leading digital media company, today announces HMV Group is investing £7.7m in cash to acquire a 50 per cent equity stake in the company. 7digital will become HMV Group’s exclusive supplier of digital media content, comprising music and entertainment stores for HMV customers in the UK and Canada and ebooks from Waterstone’s.
HMV’s online customers in the UK and Canada will have access to a catalogue of over six million high-quality MP3 tracks, with content from all four major labels, and a selection of video content via 7digital branded stores. 7digital will also power an enhanced e-books store for Waterstone’s customers, building on the book retailer’s leading position in the fast growing e-book market.
7digital will continue to service its existing and future international customer base, whilst working closely with HMV to develop new digital entertainment services. The investment is the latest in a string of high profile partnerships for 7digital. The company currently provides download services for hundreds of clients, including Spotify, Last.fm, and will soon launch a MP3 download application for RIM’s BlackBerry devices.
In addition to the enhanced download stores, HMV customers will also have access to the 7digital Locker, allowing them to download previously purchased digital media to any computer or device with an Internet connection. Mobile apps will allow users to purchase and download media on the move and sync with their home computer.
Ben Drury, CEO of 7digital, comments “HMV is the largest entertainment retailer in the UK and Canada, and combining our digital expertise with the respected brand will create a compelling download offering for the consumer. The widespread adoption of the MP3 format has raised the profile of legal downloading amongst consumers and the market is continuing to grow. We already provide a number of high profile clients with successful download services and are confident we will see similar success with this venture.”
Simon Fox, Chief Executive of HMV Group, comments “This is an exciting new step for HMV which transforms our position in the fast-growing digital market. We believe 7digital is the best partner to help us accelerate our growth in digital entertainment and to become a major player in the market for legally downloaded entertainment. Along with other recent initiatives, it demonstrates the Group’s continuing focus on transformation in structurally changing markets.”
London, 12 August 09 – 7digital.com, the home of MP3 downloads, today announces the launch of its Swedish MP3 download store. From today, Swedes can download tracks from all four major music labels and a range of independent labels, in the high-quality MP3 320kbps format.
Track pricing will be highly competitive at launch, with single tracks costing only 7 Kronor and albums starting at 79 Kronor. In addition to the MP3 download store, 7digital’s catalogue will also be available to Swedish music fans via integrated download links within streaming services Spotify and Last.fm.
The Swedish store’s catalogue will consist of over four million MP3 tracks, including content from Warner Music, Sony, EMI Records and Universal Music. A number of independent and local labels are also signed up. Swedish independent distributors include Bonnier Amigo, Artspages and Phonofile and local artists from Milow, H.e.a.t, Sofia Karlsson, Hell On Wheels and Primal Fear will be available at launch.
The launch of the Swedish store is the first in Scandinavia and will be followed by the launch of stores in Norway, Finland and Denmark.
Ben Drury, CEO of 7digital, explains, “Our Swedish offering continues our European expansion of local download stores and international partnerships. For Swedish consumers, MP3 downloads will be available via the new store at amazing prices and through partnerships with Spotify and Last.fm. 7digital currently has the largest MP3 retail network in Europe. We provide partners with the largest possible European reach for digital music partnerships and promotions.”
London, August 09 – 7digital.com, the home of MP3 downloads, today announced a partnership with one of the world’s premier manufacturers and developers of movie and music-focussed entertainment servers, Imerge. 7digital is providing Imerge with a branded download store that will be fully integrated into the company’s entertainment systems.
Using 7digital’s application programming interface (API), Imerge will provide customers with direct access to over six million MP3 tracks from the 7digital.com catalogue. All tracks will be in the high quality MP3 DRM-free format, meaning they can be transferred and played across any music device, including iPods and iPhones. Customers will be able to browse, purchase and download content through the XiVA store on their Imerge system, without accessing a web browser or using a computer.
Imerge provides luxury entertainment systems that allow customers to record, store and playback music, video and media to multiple rooms in their home through connected control panels. Content purchased from the 7digital store will be automatically loaded onto the user’s Imerge system and accessible from anywhere in their home. The integrated store will initially be offered to Imerge customers in the UK and US, with more territories to follow.
Cameron Wade, CEO at Imerge comments, “7digital’s offering ticked all the boxes – an extensive, high-quality DRM free catalogue, across multiple territories with a comprehensive & extensible API. This has allowed Imerge to concentrate on delivering the compelling user experience expected by our discerning customers.”
Ben Drury, CEO 7digital adds, “We designed our API platform to make it very easy for consumer electronics companies to integrate a download store with their devices. Providing access to high quality digital media is becoming increasingly crucial for consumers and innovative companies like Imerge, who provide excellent in-home entertainment solutions.”
Drury continues “Instead of using traditional web based downloads via a browser, Imerge has incorporated the XiVA store into its hardware. This makes purchasing media content an instant and straight forward experience. This is the kind of customisation and integration that is achievable with our API.”
London, UK, 3 August 09 – Warner Music and 7digital.com, “the home of MP3”, today announced an extended partnership that will see high quality MP3 music downloads from Warner Music made available across Europe. Warner Music is the first major to sign a pan-European MP3 deal with 7digital and the retailer is now selling MP3s in a higher number of countries in Europe than any other service.
From this month, 7digital stores in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy and Portugal will join those in UK, Ireland, Spain, Austria and Germany that are already stocked with MP3 downloads from Warner Music’s roster of local and international artists. These eleven stores will be followed by further rollout from 7digital in additional countries across Europe.
The partnership allows 7digital’s extensive partner network, which includes Spotify, Last.fm, AOL’s WinAmp and the open-source Songbird player, to further monetise their European audiences through MP3 download sales in an unprecedented number of European countries.
Ben Drury, CEO 7digital explains, “The completion of this deal gives us the broadest European reach of any MP3 download store. We have seen a dramatic rise in digital album sales since switching to a 100% MP3 catalogue in the UK last September and this is a natural progression to that trend. As well as providing music fans access to high quality MP3 downloads, the deal provides our partners with the capacity to target a wider consumer audience across Europe.”
Drury continues, “Using our API, services like Spotify will be able to make one-click downloads a reality, meaning users will only be one step away from owning an MP3 of their favourite track. Multiple click purchasing is a big barrier for consumers, and this is the kind of issue we’re aiming to overcome to drive MP3 sales in Europe.”
Eric Daugan, Senior Vice President, Digital Business, Warner Music Europe, said ”Music fans are now enjoying a whole spectrum of ways to engage with artists online but often they still want to own the music they discover and love as well as play it on their portable device. We’re pleased to be working with 7digital to further expand access to high quality, interoperable music downloads in Europe as well as through 7digital’s network of partners such as Spotify create versatile fan experiences where consumers can quickly and easily collect immersive products from our world-class roster of established and up-and-coming artists.”
London, UK, July 09 – 7digital.com, the home of MP3, today announces the LonelyHarps application, developed at the recent Music Hack Day, as the winner of the 7digital API prize.
Over the weekend, developers from across the globe gathered at The Guardian newspaper offices for the first official Music Hack Day. Participants were encouraged to use a range of music centric API platforms, including those from BBC Music, Last.fm, Songkick and SoundCloud, to create innovative and original applications. Each application was presented by the ‘hackers’, with prizes for the most creative.
The 7digital API prize went to developers Jamie Hollingworth and David Padbury, who produced the LonelyHarps application. Combining 7digital’s API with the Last.fm and Gigulate services, they created an application designed to match prospective romantics through mutual music tastes. The application also creates playlists for the ideal first date.
Ben Drury, CEO at 7digital, comments “We designed our API to be as open and accessible as possible for use by individual developers to global corporations. We use the latest Internet standards such as OAuth to enable rapid development of new music services that can access our rich, structured music data and catalogue. This exercise demonstrates how easy our API is to use, and the great services that can be developed by anyone with a creative streak within a few hours.”
An honourable mention went to the developers of the ‘7digital and Guardian news mashup’. This combined the 7digital and Guardian newspaper APIs to create a plugin providing relevant MP3 streams and a Guardian music news feed. The plugin searches for known music artists within website content, and adds links to streaming MP3 and music news content.
More information on the applications can be found on the Music Hack Day website.
Music Hack Day: http://musichackday.org/
LonelyHarps application: http://musichackday.org/index.php?page=LonelyHarps
7digital and Guardian news mashup: http://musichackday.org/index.php?page=7digital+and+Guardian+news+mashup
Full list of Music Hack Day hacks: http://musichackday.org/info/Hacks
London, UK, 7 April 09 - 7digital, the home of MP3 downloads, today announces a partnership with Winamp, one of the world’s leading free media players.
7digital.com is now incorporated into the Winamp product allowing users to purchase tracks and albums by their favourite artists from within the media player and on Winamp.com. Winamp’s 77 million* users world-wide will now have access to a huge catalogue of over six million high-quality MP3 tracks through Winamp’s ‘Now Playing’ menu.
Winamp uses 7digital’s application programming interface (API) platform to help provide a first rate music download service for its users. By using the open API, Winamp is able to pull data from 7digital.com, including artist, track and album information, and use it to create a built-in music store.
7digital.com will act as Winamp’s partner in Europe to provide downloads for ten regions including the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Portugal and Ireland.
Ben Drury, CEO of 7digital, comments. “We opened the API platform to developers last year to encourage anyone, from multinational retailers to bedroom developers, to create a range of music applications and services. This, combined with our European network of download stores, has allowed Winamp to create a first-class music discovery offering”.
The MP3 format represents the best quality downloads that are compatible with any music enabled device, including iPods, iPhones, MP3 players and mobile devices. The Winamp application can be downloaded from www.winamp.com.
* Source: comScore Media Metrix, February 2009
London, UK, 30 March 09 - 7digital, the home of MP3 downloads, and music streaming service Spotify today announce an international strategic collaboration that will make high quality MP3 downloads available directly through the Spotify application.
Links to 7digital.com’s digital music store will be integrated within all international versions of the Spotify application beginning with UK, France, Spain and Germany. It will allow users to easily purchase high quality 320kbps MP3 downloads from the six million strong catalogue of tracks available through 7digital.com. A selection of FLAC downloads will also be available through the partnership.
Users can purchase MP3 tracks and albums by right clicking on streamed tracks and selecting the ‘Buy From 7digital.com’ option.
In the future, as well as track and album downloads, users will be able to purchase playlists that have been created within Spotify through 7digital.com. This allows music fans to create their own bespoke digital compilation albums and purchase them at a discounted price. Future developments will see closer integration between the two services, including the addition of ‘one click’ downloads.
The integration with Spotify follows a similar partnership with open source media player Songbird and has been achieved through use of 7digital’s application programming interface (API). The API allows partners to integrate with 7digital.com’s catalogue and technology and earn commission on tracks sold.
Ben Drury, CEO 7digital comments, “The collaboration with Spotify is exactly what we were aiming to achieve when we opened our API to outside developers. This is the first stage of a partnership that will create a more integrated download experience for 7digital and Spotify customers. We’re already looking to build on the existing integration and, ultimately, allow users to listen and buy MP3s securely with one or two clicks.”
Daniel Ek, CEO and founder of Spotify comments, “Spotify is a great way to listen to and discover music and, through integration with 7digital.com, our users can now take their digital music with them wherever they go. We’re committed to developing the world’s largest streaming music catalogue and 7digital.com’s huge catalogue of high quality MP3 downloads makes them an ideal partner for us.”
The download option will initially be available in the UK and Germany, France, Italy and Spain with Sweden, Norway and Finland following in a few weeks’ time.
London, 15 July 09 – 7digital.com, the home of MP3 downloads, today announced a nationwide download promotion with special-interest media group, Future.
Throughout August, customers purchasing any one of fifteen music and computing titles from Future will be eligible to download ten free MP3 downloads from 7digital.com. Customers will be able to select tracks from 7digital.com’s six million strong catalogue. The downloads will be in the DRM-free MP3 format, meaning they can be transferred and played across any music device, including iPods, iPhones, MP3 players and mobile phones.
The promotion will be run in partnership with high street retailer WH Smith, where selected magazines will appear on 7digital branded magazine stands in 540 stores nationwide. The promotion spans a range of Future’s music and computing titles, including Total Guitar, Guitarist, Classic Rock, T3 and Metal Hammer.
Ben Drury, CEO at 7digital, comments “This promotion is the ideal way to reach a large consumer base who we know are keen to download MP3 music. MP3 is the best format for music lovers and we’re pleased to be part of this campaign.”
To redeem downloads, customers will select ten tracks from www.7digital.com and enter a unique code at the checkout page. Codes will be included on a backing card with each magazine.
Titles included in the Promotion