7digital
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| 7digital | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | Private |
| Founded | January 2004 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Area served | United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, France, Spain |
| Key people | Ben Drury, James Kane |
| Services | www.7digital.com, indiestore, Audio/Video download store creation |
| Employees | 40[1] |
| Website | Corporate Site |
7digital is a privately-held digital media delivery company based in the United Kingdom, offering downloadable music, video and movies to customers primarially within major European markets. They also provide branded digital solutions for their clients, including traditional media companies such as ITV & Channel Five, brands such as Pringles and Miller, and social networking sites Last.FM & Bebo. The company is also notable for it’s involvement with War Child, for whom they provide the technology behind Warchild Music.
Contents |
[edit] Corporate history
The company was founded in January 2004 by Ben Drury and James Kane, who currently serve as Managing Director and Chief Technology Officer respectively.[1] The company is financially backed by Balderton Capital, the European arm of venture capital firm Benchmark Capital who also provided initial financing for eBay.
On January 28, 2008 the company announced that it had agreed terms on a £4.25 million ($8.5 million) investment from various groups, including Sutton Place Managers and Balderton Capital. The investment will be used to launch www.7digital.com in more European countries and the United States,[2] along with expanding the sites offerings to include downloadable video and computer games.[3]
[edit] Services
[edit] 7digital.com
7digital.com is an online digital music store, one of the UK's first when launched in 2004.[3] Consumers can purchase music, audiobooks, comedy shows and videos (including documentaries, independent films and music videos). As of January 2008 more than 3.5 million tracks are available,[3] the majority without DRM restrictions.[4]
The site has secured exclusive deals with major artists. Examples include:
- August 2007 - Became the first digital retailer to offer 24 albums by The Rolling Stones, spanning the period 1971-2005 without DRM restrictions.[5]
- September 2007 - Became the first digital retailer to offer Pink Floyd's entire back catalogue without DRM restrictions.[6]
- September 2007 - Became the first digital retailer to offer Radiohead's entire back catalogue. The band only wanted to offer complete albums and therefore tracks cannot be downloaded individually.[7]
- March 2008 - Warner Music makes its complete music catalogue available in MP3 format.[8]
[edit] Regional versions
7digital has launched regional versions of 7digital.com in Germany, Ireland, France & Spain, and intends to continue expanding into other European countries and the United States.[3]
[edit] indiestore
Launched in early 2006, indiestore lets unsigned artists and independent labels create their own digital music download store for free. There is also an enhanced paid version, allowing for more tracks, greater revenue sharing and other features. indiestore reports sales through these sites to chart compiling organisations in over 20 countries. In the United Kingdom this led to the first single by an unsigned artist (KOOPA) appearing in the Top 40 through download sales alone. More than 95% percent of the singles chart eligible sales were made via indiestore or 7digital.com.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ a b 7digital - Staff. Retrieved on May 12, 2008.
- ^ 7digital Agrees Terms of $8.5 Million Investment to Capitalise on Rising Digital Media Demand. Retrieved on February 25, 2008.
- ^ a b c d UK iTunes rival 7digital to hit US and Europe. Retrieved on February 25, 2008.
- ^ 7digital's DRM-free music store going to the US, worldwide. Retrieved on February 25, 2008.
- ^ Stones roll out 'DRM-free' albums. Retrieved on February 25, 2008.
- ^ 7digital to offer all Pink Floyd albums DRM-free. Retrieved on February 25, 2008.
- ^ Radiohead Selling Full Albums Via 7digital Deal. Retrieved on February 25, 2008.
- ^ Simon Perry (2008-03-05). Warner Drop DRM On 7Digital. Digital-Lifestyles. Retrieved on 2008-03-05.
- ^ A blag or a steal? New rules put unsigned punk band in top 40. Retrieved on February 25, 2008.
