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iTunes now charging 99p per song download

Posted by on Tue 7 Apr 2009

Despite increasingly stiff competition from rival online MP3 stores, Apple has introduced a new price structure for iTunes, which will see tracks rise to as much as 99p

The ‘one price fits all’ strategy that iTunes adopted since their launch in 2003 caused friction between the record labels and Apple, with companies like Universal, Sony, Warner Music and EMI pushing for a price change ever since. It now seems that the record labels have finally achieved what they were after, as the new flexible prices will possibly generate more money for them and the artists.

 

Apple’s new price changes will see variable costs introduced to the iTunes online music store, with tracks now being sold on a three-tier pricing system where some will remain at 79p, while others will subsequently rise and fall to 59p and 99p. With such varying costs, iTunes’ extensive userbase will definitely be tested as to how much they are willing to pay for music, especially as Amazon recently announced their MP3 price cut to just 29p.

 

In addition to the iTunes price change, all the songs on their online music store are now also DRM-free, meaning that users are able to play the tracks on any type of MP3 player and not just Apple products.

 

Link: Apple