MSN today launched a preview release of its MSN� Music service in the United States, providing music fans with an easy, comprehensive service for discovering and downloading legal, digital music. MSN Music offers simple sign-up, no-hassle purchasing and superior sound quality, either through a Web browser or the new Windows Media� Player 10. The new service delivers a vast selection of music with more than 1 million tracks licensed, from new releases to rare classical compositions, from major labels including EMI Music North America, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group as well as more than 3,000 independent labels.

Available in the new Windows Media Player 10* or at http://beta.music.msn.com, MSN Music allows people to download music for 99 cents per song and listen to music on their choice of more than 70 Windows Media-compatible devices. MSN Music also provides rich discovery tools to connect people with the music they love, including simple, comprehensive music search tools, online streaming capabilities via MSN Radio, and features for easily sharing recommendations with friends.

"Our goal with the MSN Music service is to finally bring digital music to the masses by offering what we believe is the largest and highest quality catalog of legal music on the Internet, available on the broadest selection of portable devices," said Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president for MSN. "From listening to a favorite band and discovering new artists to downloading individual songs or albums, MSN Music offers the easiest way for people to access the music they love, any time, anywhere."

In addition to the new U.S.-only service, MSN is also working with industry partners in several international markets to offer music services that meet the specific needs and desires of the consumers in those regions. Through these relationships, an MSN Music offering, built on industry partner technology, is currently available in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Brazil, Korea and Australia.