Affiliate Disclosure
If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Read our ethics policy.

MTV and Real to join forces against Apple's iTunes

 

MTV Networks is expected to announce Tuesday plans to merge its online digital music service into a joint venture with music software company RealNetworks, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Citing people familiar with the matter, the financial paper said MTV and RealNetworks (which runs subscription digital music service Rhapsody), will band together (subscription required) with the common goal of taking on Apple Inc.'s iTunes Store.

As part of the deal, MTV will reportedly ditch its MTV Urge download service that it launched last year alongside Microsoft Corp.

Meanwhile, the Journal reported that the new service between MTV and Real will tap wireless provider Verizon Wireless to help supply mobile content to users.

The paper suggested that the pact with Verizon could bolster the new venture's battle against iTunes, given that Apple drew widespread criticism from mobile operators and consumers when it made AT&T its exclusive wireless provider for the iPhone.