Real slashes prices

Lasse Penttinen
17 Aug 2004 11:18

Real Networks is seriously challenging Apple iTunes in the music e-tailing business, as it is the first distributor to significantly cut prices. Their new reduced pricing promises savings around 50 percent, making their service quite attractive financially. Not long ago Real scared Apple by starting to offer iTunes/iPod compatible DRM restricted content.

With rival Apple in its crosshairs, RealNetworks has slashed the price on songs sold from its RealPlayer store by 50 percent and launched an all-out marketing blitz to create a public outcry against the iPod maker.
The 49 cents a song price point ($4.99 for most full-length albums) is not available from the company's Rhapsody service.