LOS ANGELES — News Corp. has approached the four major record labels to discuss launching an online music service through its popular MySpace social- networking site, music-company executives familiar with the talks say.
The media conglomerate envisions a one-stop music service that offers content in various ways, including via free digital streams, as MP3 downloads and through a subscription plan, one of the executives said.
News Corp., run by Rupert Murdoch, proposed launching the service as a joint venture with the major recording companies, which would receive an equity stake in the new company, the executive said.
The music-company executives spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
News Corp. and MySpace declined to comment Wednesday. Representatives for the recording companies also declined to comment.
The Associated Press
