• FT.com, Thursday, October 9, 2008 11:45 AM

Record label EMI is hoping to enter the crowded digital music space by this Christmas, launching a site that will market music from its stable of artists directly to consumers. EMI is keeping its plans close to the vest for now, but the site is expected to offer video content in addition to music, and some sections of the site will be free.

Most record labels these days have some consumer-facing presence, but attempts to rival music download services like iTunes have had trouble gaining traction, largely because they failed to offer music from competing labels. Said one music industry exec, "Research has shown that when consumers are looking for music they want it all in one place. ... I am not quite sure what EMI will get for the money they have spent on it."

Last year EMI--whose artists include Kylie Minogue and Coldplay--had a 13% share of the global music business; Universal Music had 28%; Sony BMG about 17%; and Warner Music 15%, according to Music & Copyright.

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