Virgin to offer 1.2m tracks with its US download launch.(News)

Virgin Retail is stepping up its digital activity in the US today (Monday) by ailing out the biggest catalogue yet available of online music.

Virgin Digital will offer an unrivalled 1.2m tracks, dwarfing the libraries of rivals such as iTunes Music Store and Napster, and will include both download and subscription services.

Virgin Entertainment Group CEO Simon Wright, who has global responsibility for the project, says, "It's the first download offering that will try to reflect its origin in that it is being set up and man aged by a music retailer."

Each track will cost 99 cents to download, while users will also be able to take out a monthly subscription for $7.99, which will give them unlimited access to the repertoire available.

The service additionally includes 60 exclusive radio station streams and what Wright believes is an unrivalled database of information, including product reviews and cross-reference functions enabling users to move instantly from one act to another related artist.

"It allows the browsing capacity, online; that is what we've tried to replicate," he says. "And if you're a subscription user you've got your own record collection online to listen to when you want."

The US launch of Virgin Digital, whose UK arrival has been delayed from a projected date of quarter four to some time next year, conies as part of an increased focus for the entire Virgin brand across the Atlantic. Along with the launch of a US-based airline and ...