URGE (digital Music Service)
The URGE digital music store was an online music distribution service run by MTV Networks. URGE was integrated into Windows Media Player 11.
URGE was opened on May 17, 2006. Downloaded files come with restrictions on their use, enforced by Windows Media DRM, Microsoft's digital rights management. URGE features the music programming of MTV, CMT, and VH1 and provides editorial content for the online music service. URGE currently charges 99¢ a track, or $9.95/month for a subscription. An optional $14.95/month to-go subscription is available for those with PlaysForSure devices. As of May 2008, URGE is not compatible with Microsoft's Zune or Apple's iPod, although the first-generation Zune Marketplace was based on URGE, and had many similarities.
In the spring of 2007, MTV Networks launched the digital audio radio service URGE Radio, available through cable operators. URGE Radio offered cable systems digital audio channels with continuous music commercial-free, 24 hours a day. Similar to Music Choice, song and artist info is displayed on screen.
In August 2007, MTV Networks announced plans to end its partnership with Microsoft and close URGE, and join RealNetworks on its Rhapsody digital music store.
In early September 2010, Verizon and Frontier informed their customers that they would be dropping the URGE channels due to the provider's decision to discontinue the service. At present, www.urge.com redirects users to the Website for Viacom, Inc., the parent company of MTV Networks.
Read more about URGE (digital Music Service): Response, List of URGE Channels
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