Amazon Top Songs Now Priced Cheaper Than iTunes (iTunes price increase)

[Coventina]

Source: PC World

Amazon reduced the price on many of its top-selling songs in a bid to seize more market share from its biggest rival, the iTunes Music Store. Over 100 popular tracks are now cheaper with the Amazon music store, costing $0.30 less per song than on iTunes.

Many digital music retailers, including Apple and Amazon, raised their prices yesterday under pressure from the music labels, which wanted more flexibility on what they charge. But Amazon is going on an offensive against the iTunes Music Store (iTMS), by selling some of its most popular tracks for $0.99 in comparison to iTMS, which sells them at the new price of $1.29.

One good example of Amazon's lower pricing would be chart-topping Lady GaGa, whose song Poker Face costs $0.99 on Amazon and $1.29 on iTunes. Her album is also cheaper with Amazon at $9.49, while the same costs $9.99 on iTunes. Other popular songs from artists such as Coldplay and Katy Perry are cheaper on Amazon as well.

Both Amazon's and iTunes' songs come now without any digital right protection and are compatible with most MP3 players, including the iPod. Amazon launched its music download service last December and has now over five million tracks available, while iTunes' catalogue weighs in at over 10 million songs. Apple is believed to control over 70% of the legal digital music downloads market, and Amazon comes in second.



Read more: http://www.pcworld.com/article/162784/amazon_top_songs_now_priced_cheaper_than_itunes.html

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Okay, the record companies are officially the dumbest industry in the world. In the middle of the greatest recession since the Great Depression, they insist that their one money maker - music downloads - raise their prices?!?!?!!

I hope they all go bankrupt. A pox on ALL their houses!!

[marmar]

1. Greed and reason don't mix.

n/t

[JJ]

2. "one money maker"??????????

Record companies are pure profit.

[Coventina]

4. I might have my info wrong, but I seem to remember kvetching

by the record companies that they weren't making any money on CDs anymore.

[Coventina]

3. Amazon, Wal-Mart Follow iTunes, Up MP3 Prices

One day after iTunes upped the price for some of its DRM-free digital downloads to $1.29, Amazon.com and Wal-Mart have also increased their prices to $1.29 and $1.24, respectively.

Of the top 100 MP3 downloads currently listed on Amazon.com, eight of them are now priced at $1.29, up from 99 cents. Those include selections from Jamie Foxx, Beyonce, Britney Spears, Kings of Leon, Brad Paisley, Journey, and The Fray.

Other Amazon tracks are available for 79 cents and 89 cents.

On Wal-Mart's MP3 store, 17 of the top 100 are now priced at $1.24. They also include songs from Britney Spears, Beyonce, Brad Paisley, and Jamie Foxx, as well as Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Carrie Underwood, and Leona Lewis.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2344658,00.asp

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This is a newer story than the OP

[high density]

5. $1.29??

I think they want people to pirate music. I can only hope the music I want on Amazon remains cheap.