Report: MySpace Music may delay launch

MySpace Music is having some trouble getting out the door it appears.

Sources told me months ago that overseers of the new music service, formed by News Corp. and the three largest music labels, were shooting for a September 15 launch date.

The blog Silicon Alley Insider wrote recently that the launch date had been moved back to September 18. Now Peter Kafka of SAI, citing music industry sources, is reporting the launch date may get pushed back a week.

Kafka, a former writer for Forbes magazine, reports that there are two obvious possibilities. On Monday, CNET News reported that EMI, the smallest of the four top recording companies, was close to finalizing an agreement to join the other labels in backing MySpace Music.

My sources said the deal was still held up by a few obstacles but that the parties were working to get something done in time for launch.

The other possibility is that MySpace Music is waiting to find a chief before rolling out the music service, which will offer downloads, free streaming music, and concert tickets.

The Los Angeles Times reported Saturday that the candidates have been reduced to two: Owen Van Natta, the former Facebook chief operating officer, and Andy Schuon, a longtime music industry executive.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Nice not knowing you , iTunes. The "buy" link on MySpace Music goes to AmazonMP3 where people get all their music in a NO DRM/higher quality/lower price. They are copying imeem for the most part , but the streaming , high-quality music and nice music videos and such makes it much more compelling to use VS iTunes. And with a built-in base of about 130 million users , iTunes will become a relic of the early days...much like the Model T.
On a side note , I also see this driving another nail in the coffin of internet radio as imeem/Myspace allows you to stream playlists.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Also...Kudos to Cnet`s headline making it sound as if it isn`t going to launch at all. It is only being DELAYED a couple weeks nimrods ! Did Mr Whipple pay you off to post such a headline on your home page ? Hmmmm