Report: MySpace Music may delay launch
Silicon Alley Insider reports that new music service from News Corp. and top labels may delay launch for up to week.
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.