Sony Planning Specialty Download Service

[Don]

Sony Music Entertainment is planning a specialty digital download service dedicated to classical music and, perhaps, jazz, according to the AllThingsD blog.

The service will feature higher-quality files than most digital music services offer, something that is a notable sore-spot among audiophile classical music and jazz aficionados. Known as “lossless” files, these downloads keep all the audio data of a CD, are far bigger files than the typical digital download, and cost more.

Back in 2007, Universal Music Group’s Deutsche Grammophon launched a classical music-focused download service also based on higher-quality files. The same year, EMI And Virgin Classics launched a similar “Listening Club” service. Last year, Classical Archives launched, designed to offer better-quality files and a classical-friendly way to list and organize classical music by artist, performer and work. Others include ArkivMusic, Passionato, and the online site of classical label Naxos.

According to AllThingsD, Sony is negotiating with the other major labels to add their content as well. Reportedly, it would be a non-exclusive store, so all the labels would be able to continue selling their content elsewhere.



I think if this takes off and Sony can extend it to other genres, it will really be the death knell for the CD format as the audio quality issue between physical and digital purchases will be reduced significantly.