Cox Communications Inc. has signed a pact with RealNetworks Inc. to promote the company’s Rhapsody online music service to cable modem subscribers, starting sometime later this year.
Under the agreement, Cox’s 3 million high-speed data customers will be able to tap into the standard Rhapsody music service, which offers on-demand access to a library of music, streaming radio stations and other audio content. Cox data subscribers will also be able to access certain Rhapsody services, without the need to download PC jukebox software, from Windows, Mac or Linux computers.
The companies didn’t reveal pricing for the premium music service. But Rhapsody usually charges $9.99 a month for unlimited access to its online jukebox. Customers can then pay an extra 99 cents a pop to burn songs onto their computer hard drives or MP3 players.
Cox said it will integrate Rhapsody’s subscription and other fees into its monthly cable bills. The MSO is the second major cable operator to sign up for Rhapsody, following the example set by Comcast more than two years ago.