(29 October 2008 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Microsoft’s end-to-end music and entertainment service Univision Online has announced the launch of an exclusive music download service via Univision.com, to be powered by Zune.

Univision Online is an interactive subsidiary of US Spanish-language media company Univision Communications and Zune.

The new service will be branded Baja Zune Música en Univision.com (Download Zune Music on Univision.com).

Univision Communications EVP chief strategy officer Cesar Conde says, “Music has been at the forefront of Univision.com’s offerings, and this new partnership is part of a number of steps we have taken this year to enhance the music experience of our users.

“By offering Zune’s music catalog and features, we are delivering a comprehensive online music subscription platform experience via the most-visited Spanish-language Web site in the US.”

As a result of this relationship, Microsoft is the exclusive integrated online music download and subscription provider on Univision.com in the United States, including Puerto Rico. The comprehensive service offers Zune music charts, artist profiles and access to more than 4 million songs through the online music store called Zune Marketplace.

Microsoft GM global marketing for the entertainment business Chris Stephenson says, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Univision Online to further deepen our connections with the U.S. Hispanic community.

“With this partnership we are taking user engagement to a whole new level, making it even easier for Latino listeners to connect to the music they love, and discover new music and artists through Baja Zune Música.”

Univision.com users are 15 per cent more likely than the average US Internet user to state that music is an important part of their lives.