MSN Begins Offering Online Music Channels

Joining the wave of Internet powerhouses breaking into the music business, Microsoft will launch a free online music service today that will let people listen to preset radio channels. The Web-based service, dubbed MSN Music, will let consumers browse through 22 channels--and a database of several hundred thousand songs--dedicated to various styles of music, such as rock or hip-hop. Though consumers can use the service to hear music “designed to match the vibe of a song or band you like,” they cannot use MSN Music to listen to a specific song on demand, said Sarah Lefko, a Microsoft Network product manager. “We haven’t signed any agreements with any of the major labels yet, but we’re in talks with all of them,” Lefko said.