Playlists get an upgrade

By RICHARD WOOD

New Zealand radio stations are to be offered digital delivery of music and related information through a secure website service called MusicPoint, as an alternative to receiving material on CDs.

The service will be sold in New Zealand by the Christchurch branch of US firm Radio Computing Services (RCS) in an arrangement with Australian listed firm Destra Corporation, and is due to launch within the next two months.

RCS claims between 60 and 70 per cent of the New Zealand market for its Selector software for managing radio-station playlists. These customers are the key target market for MusicPoint.

Radio station executives can listen to samples of the latest releases, and the downloads also offer background information on the artists.

Ian Campbell, managing director of RCS NZ, said the system would overcome problems associated with releases, for example by ensuring that key radio stations received a song at the same time as their competitors.

Destra is working on a paid public music download service for both Australia and New Zealand, to be launched this year.

It owns MP3.com.au and mp3.co.nz and also provides download services for the websites of CD stores.