MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT TODAY announced the launch of PLATINUM MUSICPASS, a series of digital album cards that enable consumers to download full-length albums, and in many cases special bonus content, in the form of high-quality mp3 files. The first 37 titles in the series, which represent musical genres ranging from Rock and Pop to R&B and Country, will debut on JANUARY 15th, 2008 and by the end of the month will be available at 4,500 retail outlets across the UNITED STATES. In CANADA, MUSICPASS will debut in late JANUARY of 2008.

"The introduction of MUSICPASS is an important part of SONY BMG's ongoing campaign to bring its artists' music to fans in new and innovative ways, and to develop compelling new business models," commented SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT Pres./Global Digital Business & U.S. Sales THOMAS HESSE. "The mp3 files delivered through MUSICPASS play on computers, as well as on all mp3 players, including iPODS. This makes them a simple, easy-to-use solution that will appeal to fans who already access their music on the Internet, as well as to consumers who are just getting into the digital realm. The cards themselves are high-quality collectibles featuring artist images and album information. They're a great choice whether you're buying for yourself, or as a gift for occasions ranging from a birthday to Valentine's Day."

In the UNITED STATES, MUSICPASS cards will be available at BEST BUY, TARGET and FRED'S on JANUARY 15th, with TRANS WORLD stores (COCONUTS, FYE, WHEREHOUSE and SPEC'S) and WINN-DIXIE rolling out the cards by the end of JANUARY.

I really hate proprietary bullshit like this.

This is sad. Using vouchers to buy music just seems wrong to me.

Here is the link that was sent to me to find out more about the musicpass.

http://gift.musicpass.com/

Don't we have these already? Aren't they called pre-paid iTunes gift cards?

daPrettyman said:

checked out the link...It's just a Digital Music Card

banks said:

Exactly. The only way I would be interested in buying one is if the bonus content was downloadable and NOT streamed.