Microsoft and MTV launch rival to Apple’s iTunes

MUSIC channel MTV has teamed up with Microsoft to launch a new download service which will compete with Apple’s iTunes.

It offers some two million songs for sale costing 99 cents or via a monthly subscription from today.

Called Urge, the service goes live in the US only and will not initially be available to customers elsewhere.

It uses Microsoft’s Media Player and is not compatible with Apple’s iPod players.

Archive music and video from shows such as MTV Unplugged and the MTV video awards will also be on sale.

Subscriptions will costeither $9.95 (€7.75) or $14.95 (€11.65) a month.