Virgin offers 'cheapest' downloads

NEW YORK (Virgin Music/Cnet) - Music retailer Virgin Megastores has launched its own online downloading service, offering what it says are the cheapest tracks on the market. The store has singed a licensing deal enabling it to offer 200,000 songs.
The tracks cost as little as 60p - if customers spend at least �29.99 in advance on its "pay as you go" system.

Virgin is joining other high-profile retailers such as HMV, Ministry of Sound and Microsoft in launching its own branded online music service. Virgin has teamed up with digital music download company OD2, set up by musician Peter Gabriel.
OD2 has linked up with the world's five major record companies - EMI, Universal, Warners, Sony and BMG - to offer thousands of songs from artists' back catalogue.

Virgin customers can sample 30 seconds of any track for free, or stream an entire song on their PC for a penny. With its pay-per-go service, a downloaded track can be burned from 60p.

Virgin chairman Richard Branson said the company wanted to make it cheap and easy for fans to sample and buy music digitally. He said the service would help to revive single sales which have experienced a slump as fans complain about the price.
The site launched on Monday but with some initial technical problems. It was not immediately possible to buy music from some featured artists with downloads for rock band AC/DC leading to a page about house DJ Paul Oakenfold.
Despite so many tracks being available, locating a favourite tune to download can be a hit-and-miss affair.

Only two of Robbie Williams' five albums are available, and none of The Beatles or The Clash - although Gareth Gates' latest album and all of Radiohead's catalogue can be accessed.