Wal-Mart offers MP3 downloads online

BRISBANE, Calif. Wal-Mart announced today that it is now offering DRM-free MP3 music downloads online at http://www.walmart.com. According to the company, Wal-Mart is one of the first major retailers to offer MP3 digital tracks with music content from record labels such as Universal and EMI Music. Each track costs 94 cents and each album costs $9.22.

"As we consistently strive to help our customers shop smart at Wal-Mart, our new 'DRM-free' MP3 digital tracks give them the ease and flexibility to play music on virtually any device at a great value," said Kevin Swint, Wal-Mart's senior director and divisional manager for digital media. "Also, we're excited to launch our MP3 catalog with major record labels such as Universal and EMI Music that includes music from popular artists like The Rolling Stones, Coldplay, KT Tunstall, Amy Winehouse, Maroon 5, George Strait and Nelly."

Wal-Mart will continue to offer its existing WMA-format music downloads. Thus, customers may select the option of MP3-format downloads at 256 kbps for 94 cents per track and/or WMA-format downloads at 128 kbps for 88 cents per track.