Sony BMG Signs Off On Complete Catalogue Release To Last.fm

The members of Last.fm, on average, really like Last.fm. It’s a 20-million-strong network of music fans that spans the globe, and there’s no reason at all to think it’s going anywhere but up. Sure, it’s now owned by CBS, so it really can’t be seen an “indie” favorite (not in the musical sense of the term, but the corporate sense) anymore, but no matter. It’s still a fantastic piece of kit in its members' view - and ours as well.

Sony, on the other hand, doesn’t appear as if it’s been able to do much of anything right these days. Despite the clear technological perks to owning its Playstation 3 console over Microsoft’s Xbox 360 (I find it’s best to put the Nintendo Wii in another category entirely, as it is no doubt worth owning regardless of one’s interest in the items offered by the industry’s other two behemoths), sales continue to lag. And the company hasn’t had the best of track records where the subversion of PC-based security and privacy are concerned.

That’s why Sony’s decision to unleash the complete catalogue of music it harbors at its Sony BMG media division to Last.fm for its members’ enjoyment is a more noticeable headline than it would otherwise be. Which is great, because despite the resentment the public has hit it with over the last year or two or so, Sony BMG is undoubtedly a massive enterprise, and one is bound to enjoy at least a few artists from its selection, despite one’s dislike for those running things at HQ.

Almost no details have yet emerged concerning the deal, but presumably Sony has signed off on the partnership in order to redeem itself with the masses and perhaps even to provide itself a leg up in a venue (Last.fm) clearly proven to be a viable alternative to what has typically been recognized as “radio”.

Of course, those at Last.fm must be grinning ear to ear as a result of the deal, which, according to the brief BBC report on the news, effectively makes the Web-2.0-startup-turned-mainstream-hit “the largest Web radio service in the world.” Not a bad line to market at all, wouldn’t you say?