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CNET Download.com, the world's leading download resource and a property of
CNET Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNET), today launched its free, legal music discovery
and download service (music.download.com).
The service enables the tens of millions
of people who visit CNET Download.com each month to easily navigate a diverse
selection of songs from participating artists, find the music that appeals to
them, and fill their MP3 players and other audio devices with tunes, without
spending a penny.
CNET Download.com began building its music database just last month, providing
artists the opportunity to easily upload their songs (http://music.download.com).
It is launching with basic functionality, enabling users to browse, find, download,
and listen to featured music from its initial collection of thousands of songs.
During the year, as the song database grows significantly as expected, the site
will undergo rapid development as CNET Download.com adds community, discovery,
and technology features and functionality. User feedback will be integral to
this development process.
"While commercial music services have proliferated, we are the first large-scale
provider to offer free music downloads in a discovery-focused environment, saving
music fans valuable time in finding tunes that match their tastes," said
Scott Arpajian, senior vice president of CNET Download.com. "Our goal is
to provide music fans free digital fuel for their devices, and exposure to original
artists and songs that can become their new favorites."
CNET Download.com is adapting its proven,
intuitive interface and unbiased approach to meet the needs of music fans. On
a monthly basis, tens of millions of people turn to CNET Download.com to discover
free-to-try, legal software, easily navigating between more than 30,000 latest-version
offerings in 12 primary categories for virtually any purpose, business or pleasure.
Users download more than 75 million software files each month. An unbiased resource,
CNET Download.com makes software discovery easy, directing users to "most
popular" and "most talked about" lists, new releases, product
spotlights, and top-rated programs in each category. During the year, the music
service will evolve with similar discovery features.
CNET Download.com's user base includes a heavy following of music fans, as
evidenced by the fact that the "Audio and Video" software category
steadily ranks as the number one download category on the site. Now, the people
who turn to CNET Download.com for software such as CD burners, media players,
rippers and encoders, music management, and MP3 search tools will also be able
to fill their audio devices with free, legal songs.
The launch of the CNET Download.com music service is part of a major expansion
of CNET Download.com, going beyond its core software offering to provide three
primary categories of digital fuel -- software, music, and game files -- that
bring today's technology gadgets and devices to life (see related announcement
for more detail). It is separate from CNET Networks' coming launch of the all-new
MP3.com site, which will take place in the next few weeks.
Upload Service for Artists
The CNET Download.com upload service provides clear, step-by-step directions
for successful music uploading. Each submission is reviewed by the CNET Download.com
staff to meet the site's established standards. Registered participants can
provide feedback via message boards, receive CNET Download.com's artist-only
newsletter, and gain access to support forums.
About CNET Networks, Inc.
CNET Networks, Inc. (www.cnetnetworks.com)
is a premier global interactive content company that informs, entertains, and
connects large, engaged audiences with content in the personal technology, games
and entertainment, and business technology categories. Known for its editorial
expertise, the company combines its award winning content with the power of
interactive technology to provide its users an intuitive, dynamic and relevant
environment. The company's content portfolio features top brands including CNET,
ZDNet, TechRepublic, GameSpot, and mySimon, as well as Computer Shopper magazine,
and CNET Channel. With a strong presence in the US, Asia and Europe, CNET Networks
has operations in 12 countries.
