So at last HMV get serious about ‘working’ the digital music space….

…their ‘hmv digital’ music proposition is re-vamped and without DRM, it talks to iTunes and Windows players and apparently will be supported more keenly by lots of labels too. The new shop which has a 7 digital backbone (HMV own some of 7 digital anyway) should be slicker, better and hopefully a rival to iTunes.

As punters we have no problem with iTunes it works wonderfully but we are cute enough to see that one dominant e-tailer isn’t great for new music - and so the more established music/entertainment brands that can match the level of service & usability that Apple offer is a surely a good thing? If they can eat some of the massive market share enjoyed by iTunes in the UK it should get really interesting.

The difference we see is that HMV have fingers in very useful pies when you’re looking at ‘nailing’ the music consumer not just online but at gig with their MAMA Group venues and on the high street too. Talk of exclusive content is also interesting too and HMV should be able to offer something really tangible and attractive to real music lovers like you very shortly.

GYEO