BSkyB UK ( Sky Broadband ) and Universal Music (UM) have today revealed the finalised details for Sky Songs; their forthcoming legal broadband music download service, which will launch on 19th October next week. However those hoping to find an "unlimited" subscription model option for track downloads will again be disappointed.

The move, which is designed to provide an alternative to illegal P2P file sharing, comes just days after Virgin Media was rumoured to have dropped an "unlimited" downloads tier from plans for a similar service (original news). It won't come as much of a surprise to our readers that Sky's service also excludes this feature.



So what do customers actually get? Firstly Sky Songs will offer new releases and back catalogues from every major music label as well as a wide range of independent labels and distributors. There are two monthly subscription options available:

* The first is £6.49 (monthly) to download either a £6.49 album or 10 songs, and unlimited streaming of over four million songs online for one month.

* The second option is to pay £7.99 (monthly) and download either a £7.99 album or 15 songs as well as the unlimited listening access.

It's noted that customers will also be able to purchase additional music on a per-track (from 65p) or per-album (from £6.49) basis and the unlimited streaming will be free of adverts. Existing Sky Broadband customers who access the site will also receive a free downloadable album worth £6.49.