Sky has announced that it plans to release a digital music service called Sky Songs that will try to compete alongside Apple's iTunes and Spotify.

Initially Sky Songs will have 4 million tracks and will include new and back catalogues from the likes of EMI, Universal, Sony, Warner and some independant labels.

Sky are offering customers the choice of two subscription models. The first one costs £6.49 per month and allows the user to download 1 album or 10 tracks per month. The second subscription costs £7.99 per month will allow the consumer to download up to 15 tracks per month. The extra 5 tracks for this subscription service will cost about 30p compared to 65p if you wanted to download more than 10 tracks with the cheaper subscription. If you don't wish to download any content both subscriptions will allow you to stream music ad-free without any limitations, any time you like.

As mentioned you will be able to download additional tracks and albums outside you're monthly allowance. However this will cost you 65p per track or £6.49 per album regardless of what subscription you are signed up to.

Sky say that purchased downloads will be available as an mp3s and will be playable on any mp3 device DRM Free! This is something Apple's iTunes does not cater for and could prove crucial for consumers who want their purchases to be available on any device they own.

Andria Vidler President of EMI Music for the UK & Ireland, welcomed the announcement by stating "Sky has proven expertise in running first class consumer services and we welcome their entry into the music market.  The widespread adoption of DRM-free downloads has helped drive new digital music services and with Sky’s launch we have another major player who will help our artists and their music reach an ever wider audience."

Since this is a new product Sky are offering all their broadband customers a free album download worth £6.49 when the service becomes available on the 19th October 2009 via http://songs.sky.com.