BSkyB says to launch online music service

British pay-TV giant BSkyB said Monday it will launch an online music service next week which offers consumers access to more than four million tracks, rivalling Apple's iTunes.

Sky Songs, which is paid for with a monthly fee, will offer users songs for download and for advert-free streaming -- which allows unlimited listening to thousands of albums on computers via the web, BSkyB said in a statement.

The service, to be launched on October 19, will offer new releases and back catalogues from major music labels including EMI, Sony, Universal and Warner, and a large range of independent labels.

"Sky Songs will reach out to consumers who want legitimate digital services offering choice, ease of use and great value," BSkyB Chief Operating Officer Mike Darcey said in the statement.

"Offering legal access to digital music is a vital step in combating illegal downloading."

:story: Full story: Yahoo News