EMI To Launch Digital Music Service This Year

Record Label EMI is preparing to unveil a new digital music service, according to reports.

The service will enable users to download music by the label's artists but won't seek to challenge the dominance of iTunes and Amazon.

Trade publication Adweek claims the service will feature a mixture of paid for and free content, and will initially operate as an experimental “consumer lab”.

However, it's thought it could expand to include tracks by artists signed to other record labels.

EMI have been searching for new ways the re-engage with consumers since it was taken over last year by private equity company Terra Firma.

As previously reported on Gigwise, EMI recently endorsed MySpace's new music service, which has won the support of the world's four major record labels.