EMI will launch its own music discovery and download site before the end end of the year. Details are sparse, but the Financial Times is reporting that the label group will position the site as a "learning lab where people can discover new music as part of a broader digital strategy".
Consumers have traditionally not embraced label sites because they don't offer the music of other major or indie labels. A similar Sony site was shuttered; although another is rumored to be under consideration. By using existing technologies, however, EMI can launch this site at a reasonable cost and the value of capturing consumer information (which iTunes, Amazon and other do not share) may make the effort worthwhile.
