Universal Music has launched its own download platform for the classical and jazz genres - https://www.classicsandjazz.co.uk. The service launches with a catalogue of over 100,000 tracks with plans to add a further 1500 tracks each month. Tracks will sell for the industry standard 79p price point. The major was motivated to launch its own download platform in this domain because they felt that the mainstream digital music services didn't sufficiently service these genres. The plan is to include some editorial on the new site that will enhance the consumer experience, and aid those interested in but not experts on the two genres.
Launching the venture, Universal Music Classics And Jazz MD Dickon Stainer told reporters: "This is the most exciting development in classical and jazz music in recent years. This site will revolutionise the consumer's access to these genres, and offer music not available anywhere else. From José Carreras to Katherine Jenkins, Jamie Cullum to John Coltrane, this site will have it all, and will appeal to everyone from teenagers to the over fifties".
On their hopes for the service, UCJ marketing boss Mark Wilkinson added: "We expect sales to begin with to be relatively modest, but by the third or fourth quarter of the year to be making a positive contribution to the business. I think [the digital market] can only grow, and as the Apple iPod generation grows, they start to discover the classics. [Plus] older collectors are in tune with digital technology".