Microsoft launches a beta of it’s MSN Music Store, while Apple launches an iTunes affiliate program. The MSN tracks are, not surprisingly, in .WMA format—thus rendering them “incompatible” on an iPod without first transcoding them into .AAC or .MP3.
Participants in the Apple affiliate program can:
_Link directly from your website to any song, album or artist on iTunes. iTunes offers the largest and most diverse legal music download catalog?over 1 million tracks from all five major labels and over 600 leading independents.
_Link directly from your website to over 8,000 audiobooks and popular public radio programs including ?This American Life with Ira Glass,? ?Fresh Air with Terry Gross,? ?Car Talk,? and more.
_Download Apple-designed marketing materials to post on your website and incorporate into email communications.
_Earn 5% commission on all qualifying revenue generated by links posted on your website to iTunes.
_Receive the iTunes Affiliate Newsletter and stay up-to-date on new releases, special promotions, and more.
_Apply to the Apple Store Affiliate Program, with a wide selection of exciting products, including the best-selling iPod and iPod mini
More on MSN Music at CBS Marketwatch and C|Net The official launch of the Microsoft service is slated for October.
In related news, the BBC releases it’s first “Official UK Download Chart”.