Microsoft joins MTV for music on the Internet

Microsoft is joining forces with music broadcaster MTV to provide music over the Internet, according to a release from the software provider in Redmond in the U.S. state of Washington.

The new service will carry the name URGE and will have 2 mln items, comprising a wide range of musical styles and from a variety of record labels.

URGE will be integrated into the new version of the Windows Media Player.

The new service will compete directly with Apple, which has currently cornered digital music on the Internet with its iPod and online music store iTunes.