XM Hooks Up With Napster, Starbucks

Napster and XM Satellite Radio have entered what they call a long-term partnership to integrate satellite radio and online music services for listening on the Web and on MP3 players.
The companies will launch “XM + Napster” in the fall; the online service provides consumers one interface for accessing, purchasing and managing music from the two sources. The timing coincides with the introduction of new XM/MP3 players with storage capabilities.
When that player is connected to a PC, the new service will match marked XM song titles with Napster’s music catalog. Available songs can be purchased for on-demand listening and transferred to the player. XM subscribers would pay a monthly fee for unlimited tracks or purchase songs individually.
XM subscribers who listen to XM Radio Online can use “XM + Napster” to listen and purchase music for transfer to compatible MP3 players.
Separately, XM and Starbucks said the first CD in a series produced by the two organizations debuts Aug. 3. It’ll be sold in Starbucks stores and online. Last October 2004, XM launched the Hear Music channel, which already is heard in various Starbucks locations.