Best Buy and SanDisk to Launch Digital Music Store

Best Buy teams with RealNetworks’ Rhapsody and SanDisk to launch the Best Buy Digital Music Store - New service debuts with exclusive material from Diddy

Best Buy has unveiled the Best Buy Digital Music Store, a new service that will give customers an easy way to enjoy, manage, and discover music. The new service is powered by the RealNetworks, Inc.’s Rhapsody 4.0 music service, and features both a permanent download store and a subscription download service.

As part of this launch, Best Buy also will carry and promote the SanDisk Sansa e200R Rhapsody MP3 players, which have been optimized to work seamlessly with the Best Buy Digital Music Store. The Best Buy Digital Music Store and the Sansa e200R RhapsodyMP3 players will both be available at participating Best Buy stores as of Sunday, October 15th.

“Our goal is to deliver entertainment to our customers how, when and where they want it, and to help them have the best possible experience,” said Jennifer Schaidler, vice president of music for Best Buy. “The Best Buy Digital Music Store and Sansa e200R Rhapsody are part of that goal allowing us to provide an end-to-end digital music solution that will deliver unique content and a premium customer experience. Whether they want to purchase downloads or a subscription and have access to all the music, we’re giving consumers the ability to enjoy entertainment on their terms.”

“We have spent more than two years developing the new Rhapsody, creating the best end-to-end digital music experience ever,” said Rob Glaser, Chairman and CEO, RealNetworks. “Our alliance with Best Buy and SanDisk provides an awesome marketing and distribution platform to deliver this great experience to consumers.”

“SanDisk is proud to team with Best Buy for the launch of their Digital Music Store featuring Rhapsody 4.0,” said Eli Harari, president and chief executive officer, SanDisk. “This three-way relationship gives consumers everything they need to seamlessly obtain and enjoy their music.”

The Best Buy Digital Music Store will launch with an exclusive track from Diddy, whose new CD, Press Play, goes on sale October 17.

“Best Buy has always been a strong supporter of artists and a leader in the music industry, so I’m proud to help them launch the Best Buy Digital Music Store with an exclusive track,” said Sean “Diddy” Combs. “This site will give artists a great way to reach out to fans and will help fans discover new music.”