Since this is a consumer service, remember that most consumer connections
sold by ISPs are still 56k dialup. Is a streaming on-demand subscription
music service really feasible over dialup? I doubt it very much.
For those ISP'S offering broadband and not loosing their shirts, it may be
workable, but I think downloading and trading of higher quality MP3/MP4
(with or without Napster) will be the preferred m.o. for quite some time.
Jim
----- Original Message -----
From: "elliot noss" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2001 4:50 PM
Subject: isps/web hosts and music bundling
> This was sent to me for my feedback. I thought I would simply post it and
> let you guys kick it around. I really liked it. We have had chats with a
> couple of the labels about this, but we still think that it is more likely
> to come from an intermediary who licenses content from all the labels. The
> thing I liked least was the inclusion of the server. I think that should
be
> part of a broader offering that includes the hoster in 3rd party revenue.
> Anyway.......................
>
> ============================================================
>
> Proposed service to ISPs, Web hosts, other MSPs:
>
> End user gets access to music service purchased on a monthly or annual
basis
> with, or as a premium to, the existing fees paid to the host/access
entity.
>
> All proposed pricing includes 30 day free trial. Discount prices on
bundled
> packages. Discount sub-accounts for extra family members at same location.
>
> The MSP pays $2,000 for a fully loaded music server (50GB linux box) with
> all music content, database and software preloaded and configured. The MSP
> gets a branded jukebox player, branded web site, weekly kiosk updates and
> email newsletter. All software licensing, content aggregating, record
label
> contracts, data collecting and publishing royalty distribution is handled
by
> us. The MSP marks up the cost of the service (or perhaps provides it free
> for some term as part of subscriber acquisition/retention campaign) and
gets
> 10% on all merchandising (CDs, audio hardware/software, ticket sales
> merchandised through the service). Web hosting companies can host the
music
> service for its business customers to provide their end users. All end
users
> remain proprietary to the MSP.
>
> Following prices are for comment only, and are suggested end user pricing.
> They don't reflect all costs and don't take into account consumer price
> sensitivity, so they will most certainly be subject to a great deal of
> change. Prices are quoted in US$ and in annualized terms, but could be
> presented as
> monthly fees as well. Music service consists of a graduated scale of
items,
> in a similar fashion to the content bundles provided by cable/wireless
> television to its customers:
>
> A. Basic programmed playlist streaming music service, $12/year
> Includes MSP branded jukebox and web site for personalized radio
> service. End user can choose music styles and rate music so system
> anticipates user's music tastes to tailor playlist to the user's specific
> listening habits. User can find out what is playing at any time and
> optionally purchase the recording (CD). Service available for dial up or
> broadband customers. Audio quality can vary depending on needs of MSP,
> availability of broadband, etc.
>
> B. Basic on-demand subscription streaming service, $60/year
> Includes above service, plus on-demand access to big collection of
> music. Collection includes individual tracks from major and minor record
> labels, in a similar fashion to existing CD clubs (BMG, Columbia House,
> etc). Mix of older catalog and current releases. User is limited to a
> certain number of custom playlists during the month. Playlists are saved
in
> user preferences on personal jukebox and web site. Upgrades for more
> playlists available for incremental additional fee.
>
> C. Premium services
> 1. Hot hits on-demand and pre-release listening party. Bigger
selection
> of up to the minute releases. CDs and radio singles are available for
> listening before radio or retail availability. Add $50/year
> 2. Advanced community-based functions (sharing playlists and other
> interactive community-based music recommendation activities. Add $12/year
> 3. Superstar channels. Add $50/year for each
> Includes access to new songs each month, radio show hosted by
> band/artist, broader access to material from band/artist. Possible
preferred
> seating for concerts and exclusive parties/events. Features available will
> vary substantially by artist.
> Choose from (these artists are not providing this service, for
> illustration purposes only):
> a). David Bowie
> b). Prince
> d). U2
> e). Tom Jones
>
> ===============================================================
>
> I love this conceptually. You guys?
>
> Regards
>
>
> =======================================================================
> Elliot Noss mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> TUCOWS Inc. http://www.tucows.com
> 96 Mowat Avenue
> Toronto, Ontario
> M6K 3M1
> phone: (416) 538-5494
> fax: (416) 531-5584
