View source for EMusic

{{Short description|Online music and audiobook store}}
{{lowercase title}}
{{Infobox online service
| name=eMusic
| logo= [[File:emusic20.jpg]]
| launched={{start date and age|1998|1|8}} (as GoodNoise Records)
| pricing=30-day subscription
| platform=MP3s downloadable in any platform; open-source clients available for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[macOS]] and [[Linux]]
| availability=[[United States]], [[Canada]], [[European Union]], [[Norway]], [[Switzerland]]<ref>{{cite web|title=eMusic Releases Digital Music Consumer Survey on Ownership and Streaming|url=http://emusic.mwnewsroom.com/manual-releases/eMusic-Releases-Digital-Music-Consumer-Survey-on-O|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117175539/http://emusic.mwnewsroom.com/manual-releases/eMusic-Releases-Digital-Music-Consumer-Survey-on-O|url-status=usurped|archive-date=November 17, 2011|access-date=12 March 2012}}</ref> 
| website= {{URL|http://www.emusic.com/}}
}}
'''eMusic''' is an [[Online music store|online music]] and [[audiobook]] store that operates by [[subscription]]. In exchange for a monthly subscription eMusic users can download a fixed number of MP3 tracks per month. eMusic was established in 1998, is headquartered in [[New York City]] with an office in [[London]], and is owned by TriPlay.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title = Music Download Site eMusic Gets Acquired Again, This Time By Israeli Media Startup TriPlay|url = https://techcrunch.com/2015/10/20/music-download-site-emusic-gets-acquired-again-this-time-by-israeli-media-startup-triplay/|website = TechCrunch|access-date = 2015-10-21|first = Ingrid|last = Lunden| date=20 October 2015 }}</ref>

== Company ownership history ==
The original eMusic was started in March 1995 by Mark Chasan as the fourth online CD retailer.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.businesstown.com/internet/profile-seven.asp|title= Music to their Ears: Virtual CD Stores|publisher= BusinessTown.com|access-date= 2006-09-04|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060825132141/http://www.businesstown.com/internet/profile-seven.asp|archive-date= 2006-08-25|url-status= dead}}</ref> Originally conceived as an online record retailer, Chasan envisioned the system providing "direct [[digital delivery]] of music to homes"<ref name=":8">{{Cite magazine |last=Gillen |first=Marilyn |date=1995-08-19 |title=Selling Online: Some Cyber-Shoppers Are Already Trying And Buying In Wall-less Apps |pages=68 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1995/BB-1995-08-19.pdf}}</ref> at low prices.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hilzenrath |first=David S. |date=1996-07-31 |title=Attention, Web-Mart Shoppers! |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1996/07/31/attention-web-mart-shoppers/4fba8100-d330-40f1-80ac-61fd86b3ce07/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> At the time, Chasan was working on several new [[audio streaming]] methods, since existing technology had low [[sound quality]] with long download times,<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=2008-04-15 |title=Profiles of Successful Internet Businesses: Music to their Ears: Virtual CD Stores |url=http://www.businesstown.com/internet/profile-seven.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415185258/http://www.businesstown.com/internet/profile-seven.asp |archive-date=2008-04-15 |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Business Town}}</ref> and he was working on improving this functionality.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lieb |first=Kristin |date=1998-06-01 |title=Online Retailers Incorporate New Technologies Sites Upgrading For Better Customer Service, Ease Of Use |pages=78 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rwkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=chasan&pg=PA77}}</ref> Eventually his service was able to sell digital music files online.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deptula |first=Cristina |date=2022-12-03 |title=Mark Chasan's Inspirations |url=https://issuu.com/rareluxuryliving/docs/the_holiday_issue_winter_2022_-_issuu |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=Troora Magazine |language=en}}</ref>

In February 1998, Chasan partnered with [[Nordic Entertainment Group|Nordic Entertainment]], owned by Kent Kiefer, to increase the catalogue available to eMusic customers. They became the first digital media retailer and sold the first MP3 players on the internet. Both companies were then acquired by Goodnoise Records, which was owned by Gene Hoffman, [[Bob Kohn]], and Gary Culpepper.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=1998-10-13 |title=GoodNoise to Buy 2 Online Music Sellers |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-oct-13-fi-31972-story.html |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref name="eMusic">{{cite web|title=Goodnoise Completes Acquisition of Emusic.com|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1065013/0001012870-99-000390.txt|work=eMusic|date=1999-02-09|access-date=2008-08-25}}</ref> They also acquired on-line music pioneer [[Internet Underground Music Archive]] (IUMA). The combined company continued to be known as eMusic.<ref>Reece, Doug. [https://books.google.com/books?id=JQoEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22creative+fulfillment%22+%22mark+chasan%22&pg=PA8 Online Label GoodNoise To Buy Two MP3 Firms], ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]].'' 1998-10-24. p. 8.</ref> It went public on [[Nasdaq]] in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Internet: The Web plays on |url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/1998/1116/6211051a.html |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

eMusic then purchased Guy Giuliano's internet radio service GBS Radio Networks. The new consortium launched the first online radio network LoudRadio, to broadcast over a terrestrial radio station via KLOD-FM in [[Flagstaff, Arizona]]  along with IUMA.<ref name="eMusic"/> In November 1999, eMusic acquired main rival [[Cductive]]<ref>{{cite web|title=eMusic.com to Acquire Cductive.com|url=http://s.edgar-online.com/1999/11/22/17/0001012870-99-004371/Section7.asp|work=eMusic|date=1999-11-22|access-date=2006-09-04}}{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and in December 1999 acquired Tunes.com, which operated Rollingstone.com and DownBeatJazz.com. Then in 2001, the [[major label]] [[Universal Music]] (then a division of [[Vivendi Universal]]) bought eMusic.com for US$24.6 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,46704,00.asp|title=eMusic Bought by Universal for $24.6 Million|first=James|last=Evans|date=2001-04-09|publisher=[[PC World (magazine)|PC World]]|access-date=2006-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060527071820/http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0%2Caid%2C46704%2C00.asp|archive-date=2006-05-27|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In November 2003, the service was purchased from VU Net USA by a New York–based private equity arm of JDS Capital Management, Inc.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.emusic.com/about/pr/pr20031104.html|title=New York-Based Private Equity Firm Finalizes Purchase of eMusic|work=eMusic|date=2003-11-04|access-date=2006-09-04}}</ref> Following a contentious period during which information disseminated by the company was limited,<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=WIRED Staff |title=EMusic Relaunch |url=https://www.wired.com/2004/09/emusic-relaunch/ |access-date=2024-07-11 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}</ref> it was relaunched in 2004. Relaunch was soon followed by a new format for the eMusic site, significant increase in both editorial and music content and an eventual price increase for most subscription levels. Commensurate with this relaunch, [[David B. Pakman]] became the CEO of the company until leaving in November 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10053575-93.html|title=eMusic CEO leaves for venture capital firm|work=CNET News.com|date=2008-09-29|access-date=2010-12-15}}</ref>

On October 21, 2015, eMusic was acquired by Israeli media startup, TriPlay. {{update span |text= The full terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed. |date= April 2025 |reason= any disclosures? It's been ten years.}}<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite news |last= Sisario |first= Ben |date= 2015-10-20 |title= TriPlay to Acquire eMusic, a Pioneering Digital Music Service |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/21/business/media/triplay-to-acquire-emusic-a-pioneering-digital-music-service.html |access-date= 2024-07-11 |work= [[The New York Times]] |issn= 0362-4331 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date= 2015-10-20 |title= eMusic acquired by cloud media startup TriPlay |url= https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/emusic-acquired-cloud-media-startup-triplay/ |access-date= 2024-07-11 |website= Music Business Worldwide}}</ref>

== Features ==
eMusic is a digital music store, founded in 1998 as one of the first sites to sell [[digital rights management|DRM]]-free MP3s.<ref name="About Emusic" >{{cite web|website=emusic.com|title=About eMusic|url=http://www.emusic.com/info/about/}}</ref> The site also features original editorial content and was expanded in March 2014 to include ''Wondering Sound'', an online music publication which includes eMusic's archived music features, interviews, news, photography, and new long-form articles and interviews.<ref name=wondering-intro>{{cite web |title=Introducing Wondering Sound |date=March 3, 2014 
|work=eMusic Spotlight |publisher=eMusic.com |url=http://www.emusic.com/spotlight/introducing-wondering-sound/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905144644/http://www.emusic.com/spotlight/introducing-wondering-sound/ |archive-date=2014-09-05 }}</ref><ref name=wondering-whatis>{{cite journal |last=Keyes |first=J. Edward |title=What is "Wondering Sound"? |date=March 3, 2014 |journal=Wondering Sound |url=http://www.wonderingsound.com/spotlight/wondering-sound/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905143611/http://www.wonderingsound.com/spotlight/wondering-sound/ |archive-date=September 5, 2014 |access-date=September 5, 2014 }}</ref>

[[File:Emusic.jpg|thumb|Previous logo]]
eMusic's music store, as of March 2011, had more than 12 million tracks, up from 9 million tracks in September 2010.<ref name="eMusic revamps to stay in tune">{{cite news|author=Flamm, Matthew Flamm|url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20110320/SUB/303209964 |title=eMusic revamps to stay in tune|work=Crain's New York Business|date= March 20, 2011}}</ref> New subscribers can take out a seven-day trial before taking a full subscription;<ref>{{cite web|title=Emusic Trial Page|url=https://www.emusic.com/registration/2.html?SNID=A991CB540140C76F98B807418838300B|access-date=20 March 2012}}</ref> the trial account becomes a billable subscription account after seven days. Refunds are possible, under certain circumstances, by contacting eMusic customer support. Subscriptions allow users to download a number of tracks per 30-day period.

eMusic currently offers a number of Membership plans, including Basic, Plus, Premium and Fan in exchange for a monthly fee.<ref>[http://www.emusic.com/info/help/membership-plans/ eMusic Membership Plans]</ref> Every 30 days the download limit is reset (regardless of how many songs were downloaded). eMusic also offers "booster packs" to subscribers, which expire after 90 days rather than after a month, and are consumed when subscribers download tracks beyond their monthly allotments. Earlier business models prior to Dimensional Associates' ownership supported an "all-you-can-eat" download subscription. For a monthly fee, customers were able to download as many tracks as they wished from the service.

eMusic was one of the first sites to sell music in the MP3 format, beginning in 1998.<ref name="About Emusic" /> It differs from other well-known music download services (such as the [[iTunes Store]] and [[Amazon Music]]) in that it is a download-to-own subscription service. However, in 2011 eMusic took its first, limited step into streaming in an effort to help users discover unfamiliar tracks and artists more easily.<ref>{{cite news|last=Healey|first=Jon|url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/08/emusic-adds-a-little-streaming-to-its-mp3-store.html|access-date=12 March 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=30 August 2011|title=Technology}}</ref>

In 2006, eMusic added two European versions of its online store: 'eMusic UK' and 'eMusic Europe'. Current subscribers to the global site that were within the [[European Union]] had their membership transferred to the appropriate European store. eMusic UK and eMusic Europe have higher prices compared to their North American counterpart, partially due to the extra sales taxes which these stores are now subject to. However, the changeover also included access to labels previously unavailable to non-European customers, notably London-based [[Domino Records (1993)|Domino Records]] and artists such as [[The White Stripes]] and [[Mogwai]]. It is also notable that the European version of the store is for customers within the European Union, not customers within Europe.

eMusic's early growth may have been due to its early support of the MP3 format, lack of [[digital rights management]] (DRM) encoding and low prices; all concepts advocated by the [[Open Music Model]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Nate|title=Making money selling music without DRM: the rise of eMusic|date=23 May 2006|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2006/05/emusic.ars|access-date=12 March 2012}}</ref> Devin Leonard of CNN attributed eMusic's growth to its being the only online music store aside from iTunes that sold tracks that could be played on an iPod.<ref>{{cite news|last=Leonard|first=Devin|title=Rockin' along in the shadow of iTunes|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/02/19/8400178/index.htm|publisher=CNN|access-date=19 March 2012|date=2007-02-02}}</ref> In 2009, eMusic changed its pricing structure, raising prices for new users and most existing users.<ref name = "Healey Jon LATIMES">{{cite news|last=Healey|first=Jon|title=Is the great eMusic pricing experiment over?|url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/06/emusic-sony-mp3.html|access-date=14 March 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=2 June 2009}}</ref> The move was unpopular with some,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://readwrite.com/2009/07/02/latest_changes_at_emusic_leave_users_wanting_for_m#awesm=~od25qJvEFbHgFl|title=eMusic Users Revolt Over Latest Changes – ReadWrite|date=2 July 2009}}</ref> but tracks from the Sony catalogue over two years old were then made available to eMusic customers. Prior to July 2009, eMusic mainly sold music from independent labels.<ref name="Healey Jon LATIMES"/>

eMusic shares the revenue with artists who have submitted music via digital distribution service providers such as [[CD Baby]], [[TuneCore]], [[Nimbit]], [[State 51]] and [[EmuBands]]. eMusic has not had significant growth in subscribers – maintaining over 400,000 subscribers since 2007.<ref>{{cite web|last=resnikoff|title=eMusic Subscriber Growth Since 2007: Still 0%...|url=http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/stories/060911emusic|access-date=19 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714033312/http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/stories/060911emusic|archive-date=14 July 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

eMusic was the first digital retailer to sell DRM-free downloadable audiobooks in the MP3 format beginning in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=eMusic Introduces World's First Audiobooks Catalogue in MP3|url=http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/emusic-introduces-worlds-first-audiobooks-catalogue-in-mp3-770175.htm|access-date=13 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/17/business/media/17audiobook.html?scp=5&sq=emusic&st=cse | work=The New York Times | title=EMusic, a Song-Download Site, to Offer Audiobooks | date=2007-09-17 | access-date=2010-05-02}}</ref> [[Audible.com]], its largest competitor, offers audiobooks with digital rights management in the .aa format.

eMusic launched a Canadian version of its store in 2008.

On July 14, 2016, eMusic launched {{proper name|eStories}}, an audiobook service that will offer 80,000 titles at a cost of $11.95 per title to use, plus 33 percent off additional purchases.<ref>{{Cite web|title = eMusic's new owner TriPlay launches eStories, a new audiobook service|url = https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/14/emusics-new-owner-triplay-launches-estories-a-new-audiobook-service/|website = TechCrunch|access-date = 2016-07-14|first = Ingrid|last = Lunden| date=14 July 2016 }}</ref>

== File format support ==
Due to the contentious nature of DRM encoding that was initially used by competing download services, eMusic won early praise for not including any in their own files, despite the fact that it cost them contracts with the [[music label|major record labels]]. eMusic openly stated that this was a business move that has greatly aided the site's popularity.<ref name="ars">{{cite news|url=https://arstechnica.com/articles/culture/emusic.ars|title=Making money selling music without DRM: the rise of eMusic|first=Nate|last=Anderson|date=2006-05-22|work=[[Ars Technica]]|access-date=2006-09-04}}</ref> While the site currently sells music from the four major record labels, the company has stated that it will remain true to its independent roots and build new product features that are geared towards members who are independent-minded, not mainstream pop-culturists.<ref name="mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com">Ben Sisario, [http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/19/an-indie-music-retailer-embraces-the-mainstream/ "An Indie Music Retailer Embraces the Mainstream"], "The New York Times", May 19, 2011</ref>

eMusic stores a record of user purchases on its internal servers, but does not place any purchaser information inside the tracks that are sold.<ref name="wired">{{cite news|title=Wired Listening Post|url=https://www.wired.com/listening_post/2007/06/no_explanation_/|access-date=2007-06-01 | first=Michael|last=Calore|date=2007-06-01}}</ref> The service uses the [[LAME]] mp3 encoder to produce [[variable bit rate]] [[MP3]] files. Analysis on the files show that the preset used is alt-preset-standard, a high quality VBR preset aiming at an average bit rate around 192&nbsp;kbit/s.<ref name="Emusic Help">{{cite web|title=Emusic Technical Help|url=http://www.emusic.com/help/technical.html#q8| access-date=2011-05-25}}</ref> However, and contrary to the information published on the web site,<ref name="Emusic Help2">{{cite web|title=Emusic Technical Help|url=http://www.emusic.com/help/technical.html#q11| access-date=2009-06-08}}</ref> files can sometimes be found in lower quality bit rates, including for recent releases. The preview streams provided for each song match the bit rate quality of the full download files.

==Music catalogue==

eMusic has had contracts with both the independent labels and the four major music labels in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|title=An Indie Music Retailer Embraces the Mainstream|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/emusic/?scp=5&sq=eMusic&st=cse|access-date=20 March 2012 | work=The New York Times| date=19 May 2011 }}</ref> Most of eMusic's contracts are with independent labels, giving the service a reputation for primarily offering [[indie rock]], [[indie pop]], [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]], [[punk rock]], [[jazz]] and [[European classical music|classical music]]. eMusic highlights its offerings through a host of exclusive [[editorial]] content, along the lines of monthly "editor's picks", [[columns]] and [[guides]].

The site's [[alternative rock|alternative]] (or "indie") rock selection has also been aided by the rise in widely distributed but privately owned labels such as [[Kill Rock Stars]] and [[Matador Records]], who have a fair amount of big-name talent on their rolls (e.g. [[Cat Power]], [[The Decemberists]], [[Interpol (band)|Interpol]] and [[Sleater-Kinney]], who have been among eMusic's top-sellers). Music from other popular indie labels includes [[Merge Records]] ([[Spoon (band)|Spoon]], [[Arcade Fire]], [[Lambchop (band)|Lambchop]]), [[K Records]] ([[Modest Mouse]], [[Built to Spill]]), [[Touch and Go Records]] (Mekons, Girls Against Boys), and [[TVT Records]] (Lil Jon, Ying Yang Twins, Guided By Voices).

In 1999, eMusic made headlines by releasing ''[[Long Tall Weekend]]'' by [[They Might Be Giants]], the first internet-only distributed album by a major artist.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://docs.yahoo.com/docs/pr/release341.html|title=EMUSIC.COM & YAHOO! TO HOST EXCLUSIVE WEB-LAUNCH OF 'THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS' NEW MP3-ONLY ALBUM JULY 19|date=1999-07-19|access-date=2006-09-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901184346/http://docs.yahoo.com/docs/pr/release341.html|archive-date=2006-09-01}}</ref> The band also went on to release a series of monthly, exclusive rarities collections (known as "TMBG Unlimited") through the service in 2001 and 2002.<ref name=Direct>{{cite news|url= http://www.directmag.com/mag/marketing_finely_tuned/|title=Finely TUNED|date=1 September 2001|first=Beth Negus|last= Viveiros| publisher=DIRECT magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110915053415/http://www.directmag.com/mag/marketing_finely_tuned/ |archive-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> [[John Flansburgh]] said that "Getting a half dozen or dozen unreleased songs out each month provides an ‘ultimate fan club’ experience."<ref name = Direct/>

In 2004, with the change from an unlimited download subscription model to a set-track subscription download model,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.cnet.com/eMusic-to-relaunch-MP3-subscription-service/2100-1025_3-5372121.html|title = EMusic to relaunch MP3 subscription service}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=eMusic to relaunch MP3 subscription service|url=https://news.cnet.com/eMusic-to-relaunch-MP3-subscription-service/2100-1025_3-5372121.html|access-date=20 March 2012}}</ref> eMusic increased their catalogue content over the next few years, particularly in the Indian soundtrack and Indian classical genres and in the classical music genre and added such labels as [[Saregama]], [[Naxos Records|Naxos]], [[BIS Records|BIS]], [[Chandos Records|Chandos]], [[Harmonia Mundi]] and [[Telarc International Corporation|Telarc]].

In June 2006, eMusic added new music from [[V2 Records]] in the U.S. The label is one of eMusic's highest-profile additions thus far, with [[platinum record|multi-platinum]] acts [[Moby]] and [[The White Stripes]] and critical favorites including [[Grandaddy]].<ref>{{cite web|title=eMUSIC ADDS V2 MUSIC, PALM PICTURES AND VELOUR MUSIC|url= http://www.emusic.com/about/pr/pr20060615.html|work =eMusic|date=2006-06-15|access-date=2006-09-04}}</ref> However, this music is not available to eMusic users in many other countries and while Moby is still available at present, The White Stripes' catalog was removed until Warner Bros. was brought on.

In June 2007, eMusic added perhaps its biggest star yet to its lineup: [[Paul McCartney]] of [[The Beatles]]. His album, ''[[Memory Almost Full]]'', is also the first release on [[Starbucks]]' [[Hear Music]] label.<ref>{{cite news|title=eMusic adds Paul McCartney|url=https://opinion.latimes.com/bitplayer/2007/06/emusic_adds_pau.html|access-date=20 March 2012 | work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=eMusic Grabs Paul McCartney Release|date=5 June 2007|url=https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2007/06/emusic_grabs_pa.html|access-date=20 March 2012}}</ref>

The eMusicLive Venue Network is 22 independent clubs in the US where live shows are recorded and offered to eMusic subscribers. Numerous shows are recorded every week. In addition to subscription sales, recorded CDs are offered for sale at the venue immediately after the event. eMusic plans to establish kiosks where the music can be delivered directly to MP3 players or flash drives.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.emusic.com/venue/index.html|title=eMusic venues|access-date=2007-03-24 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070320114514/http://www.emusic.com/venue/index.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-03-20}}</ref>

Beginning September 18, 2007, eMusic began to offer audiobooks in MP3 format.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.emusic.com/about/pr/pr2007917.html|title=eMUSIC INTRODUCES WORLD'S FIRST AUDIOBOOKS CATALOGUE IN MP3|access-date= 2007-10-01}}</ref>

On April 2, 2008, eMusic added [[The Rolling Stones]] when they were on their [[ABKCO]] label. This includes their music from 1964 to 1970, plus any compilations made thereafter by ABKCO. The availability of The Rolling Stones' catalog ended on May 3, 2008.

On June 1, 2009, eMusic struck a deal with Sony Music Entertainment to sell music released two years ago or earlier.<ref>{{cite web|title=Springsteen, Dylan come to eMusic as labels open up|date=June 2009|url=https://arstechnica.com/media/news/2009/06/springsteen-dylan-come-to-emusic-as-labels-open-up.ars|access-date=20 March 2012}}</ref>

On January 12, 2010, eMusic struck a deal with Warner Music to sell music from its catalog, including music from the Warner Brothers, Atlantic, and Rhino labels, making them the second of the Big Four to enter an agreement with eMusic.<ref>{{cite web|title=eMusic And Warner Music Group Announce Agreement|url=http://www.wmg.com/newsdetails/id/8a0af8122617e3c6012622dbb0740baf|access-date=20 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228212121/http://www.wmg.com/newsdetails/id/8a0af8122617e3c6012622dbb0740baf|archive-date=28 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In November, 2010, eMusic expanded its catalog to include Universal Music. With the massive expansion, eMusic will also introduce a new pricing schedule that will set individual song prices based upon the song's popularity. Song credits will no longer be used for subscribers. Instead, eMusic subscribers will be given dollar for dollar credits to spend at the site.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://blogs.reuters.com/mediafile/2010/10/12/emusic-gets-universal-music-catalog-overhauls-song-pricing | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101015135510/http://blogs.reuters.com/mediafile/2010/10/12/emusic-gets-universal-music-catalog-overhauls-song-pricing/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=2010-10-15 | work=Reuters | title=eMusic gets Universal Music catalog, overhauls song pricing | date=2010-10-12}}</ref> The labels [[Beggars Group]], [[Domino Recording Company|Domino]], and Merge will no longer be on eMusic.<ref>{{cite web|title=Only 2 More Days to Get Music from Domino, Merge and Beggars|url=http://www.emusic.com/messageboard/viewTopic.html?topicId=263050#|access-date=20 March 2012}}</ref> Merge Records later returned to eMusic in May 2015.<ref>[http://www.emusic.com/browse/album/all/label:1308987/?sort=downloads Merge Records on eMusic]</ref> In addition, eMusic changed its policy on redownloading so that customers can no longer go to their download history and redownload tracks or albums.<ref>{{cite web|title=No more re-downloading|url=http://www.emusic.com/messageboard/viewTopic.html?topicId=263393#|access-date=20 March 2012}}</ref>

By spring 2011, eMusic had deals with all four major record companies: [[Universal Music]], [[Warner Music Group]], [[Sony Music Entertainment]] and [[EMI Music]]. Its May 2011 agreement with EMI also included the jazz label [[Blue Note]].<ref>{{cite web|title=EMI makes back-catalog deal with eMusic|date=20 May 2011|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies//emi-makes-back-catalog-deal-with-emusic/|access-date=20 March 2012}}</ref> Despite the expansion of its catalogue, the company claims to maintain strong connections with independent music labels.<ref>Ben Sisario, [http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/19/an-indie-music-retailer-embraces-the-mainstream/ "An Indie Music Retailer Embraces the Mainstream"], ''The New York Times'', 19 May 2011.</ref>

At the end of September 2014, eMusic announced on its website that going forward, in a return to its indie music roots it would focus on independent labels, and exit the mainstream music business. The New York Times reported that eMusic had confirmed that it would no longer carry recordings from [[Sony]], [[Universal Music Group|Universal]] and [[Warner Bros.|Warner]]. According to the article, independent musicians and labels often have complicated arrangements with major labels for their music to be distributed, and that an eMusic spokesperson had stated, "the independent labels that use major label distribution resources have been removed from the site."<ref>Ben Sisario, [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/30/business/media/emusic-returns-to-indie-roots-amid-shift-in-online-market.html "EMusic Returns to Indie Roots"], ''The New York Times'', 29 September 2014.</ref>

In July 2018, [[The Orchard (company)|The Orchard]], a distributor owned by [[Sony Music]], removed its catalogue from the service, stating that eMusic had failed to make payments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2018/07/emusic-is-late-paying-artists-labels-.html|title=Orchard Pulls All Labels and Artists off eMusic for Non-Payment|date=27 July 2018}}</ref> [[Naxos Records]] and [[INgrooves]] have also removed their catalogues for the same reason.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2018/10/ingrooves-joins-emusic-exodus-over-late-payments.html|title=INgrooves Joins eMusic Exodus over Late Payments|date=22 October 2018}}</ref>

== Executive staff ==
The current management team for eMusic<ref name="eMusic Executive Team">{{cite web|title=Executive Team|url=http://emusic.mwnewsroom.com/Press-Resources/Management-Team|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121063923/http://emusic.mwnewsroom.com/Press-Resources/Management-Team|url-status=usurped|archive-date=November 21, 2011|access-date=20 March 2012}}</ref> consists of:
* Chief Executive Officer & Chairman – Daniel C. Stein (2003 – December 2014)
* [[Managing Director]] [[Europe]] – Madeline Milne (April 2006 – April 2013)

== Cductive ==
'''Cductive''' was a pioneering [[online music store]] founded in 1996 by [[Tom Ryan (business executive)|Tom Ryan]], John Rigos, and Alan Manuel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Millerpublished |first=Stuart |date=2020-12-07 |title=Tom Ryan |url=https://www.nexttv.com/features/tom-ryan |access-date=2024-08-01 |website=Broadcasting Cable |language=en}}</ref> It sold 99 cent [[mp3]] downloads and custom [[CD]] compilations from a selection of several hundred [[independent record label]]s.<ref>{{Citation  | first1 = W. Michael  | last1 = Cox  | first2 = Richard  | last2 = Alm  | title = The Right Stuff: America's Move to Mass Customization  | series = Policy Report No. 225  | date = June 1999  | isbn = 1-56808-048-4  | page = 8  | place = Dallas, Texas  | publisher = National Center for Policy Analysis  | url = http://www.ncpa.org/pdfs/st225.pdf  | quote = Music buffs who wanted to hear their favorite songs once had to buy dozens of compact discs. Now, CDuctive, a New York company, maintains an Internet site with sound bites from about 10,000 titles. Customers select a dozen cuts to be burned onto a CD and shipped to their door.  | access-date = 2012-03-20  | archive-date = 2012-02-23  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120223072947/http://www.ncpa.org/pdfs/st225.pdf  | url-status = dead  }}</ref> In December 1999, the company was acquired by main rival eMusic,<ref>{{Cite news| title=EMusic.com Completes Acquisition of Cductive.com. |newspaper=PR Newswire |date=13 December 1999|quote=EMusic.com Inc. (Nasdaq: EMUS), the Internet's leading seller of downloadable music, today announced the completion of its acquisition of {{Sic|hide=y|privately|-}}held Cductive.com.}}</ref> and most of Cductive's artists and labels are still available via the eMusic service.

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=25em}}

==External links==
*{{Official website}}

{{Music digital distribution platforms}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Emusic}}
[[Category:American companies established in 1998]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1998]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 1998]]
[[Category:Online music stores of the United States]]
[[Category:1998 establishments in New York (state)]]