It's being reported by BusinessWeek that Universal has approached Microsoft and some mobile phone companies in an effort to jump start a subscription music service.  If Microsoft takes it, Zune owners may get tons of free music if it agrees to pay the subscription fee for their customers.

Universal is also getting Sony BMG and Warner Music in on the deal.  That could mean millions more FREE tracks on Zune!

Many see this move as a way for Universal to stick it to Apple.  Universal, if you remember, came out earlier this year and went on record saying, "Every MP3 player other than Zune promotes piracy."  Which came as a shock to some iPod fans (but most already knew it was true).  Universal also declined to sign a long term contract with Apple's iTunes, agreeing to an 'at-will' contract, meaning it could, at any time, pull its content from the store.

The service is being called 'Total Music' and would essentially cost Microsoft $90 per Zune sold to offer the entire Universal, Sony BMG, and Warner Music libraries for FREE.  Microsoft is already paying Universal $1 for every Zune sold so this might be a stretch, but with added Zune sales, the cost might be justified...

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Wmc90   | 150.101.112.xxx | 2007-10-13 02:59:35 Uhhhh, y'got some facts wrong here... "...with the groups' current thinking apparently focused on a $5-per-month subscription fee that hardware makers or cell carriers would absorb, making the music itself "essentially free" for consumers. That, of course, would still add up in one form or another, with some "industry insiders" speculating that it could add as much as $90 to each player -- based on the assumption that users hang on to their players for 18 months on average. " Reply | Quote 0   0

vote4pedro1090   | 76.185.37.xxx | 2007-10-13 03:03:53 this would be awesome to have free music offered[smiley=cool] Reply | Quote 0   0

Skiks   | Registered | 2007-10-13 03:47:41 Wmc90 wrote: Uhhhh, y'got some facts wrong here... EDITED...thanks for the heads up....[smiley=happy] Reply | Quote 0   0

Vuurflits   | 87.210.202.xxx | 2007-10-13 04:52:31 "Universal could, at any time, pull its content from the store." that would be a real lauhg! [smiley=laugh] Reply | Quote 0   0

boxhunter91   | 211.30.152.xxx | 2007-10-13 08:11:38 This is sweet. Can't wait till November Reply | Quote 0   0

jhase   | 75.9.60.xxx | 2007-10-13 13:34:31 is this really gonna happen or what? Reply | Quote 0   0

Skiks   | Registered | 2007-10-13 15:04:31 jhase wrote: is this really gonna happen or what? It's still up in the air. It's not known whether MS will buy into this deal, or someone else. It's just known that Universal has been in talks with MS about it...that's about it...[smiley=think] Reply | Quote 0   0

Slapshot   | 72.220.120.xxx | 2007-10-15 11:59:59 well i hope its true, ive been wayting on the zune to see how they turn up and in nov iam getting mine..... Reply | Quote 0   0

user   | 68.57.249.xxx | 2007-10-18 17:49:36 does anybody know how many people would buy the zune if they could get(almost) unlimited music legally for free!?!?!?!? I know alot of people i know would do it. Reply | Quote 0   0

TimmyTowery   | Registered | 2008-02-13 10:15:03 well the fastest way is limewire Reply | Quote 0   0

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