Real, and particularly last-place runners, like Napster, are fighting a losing battle. Telling consumers (and the media) that consumers want subscription services won't make it so, and certainly will not convince consumers who prefer to own their media. As these services' continued existence becomes less and less certain, their existing, small, consumer base will realize the inevitable loss of their music libraries, and depart as well.

Furthermore, they will find it increasingly difficult to maintain the illusion of growth, currently fostered by cut-throat deals, or nearly free, at-cost, or loss-leader give awayds of their subscription services (as in the case of Napster which gives their service away to various academic institutions, in order to claim growth out of the numbers of 'new' subscribers).

If these services actually pursued a consumer-centrix approach to their product, instead of treating their customers as a means to an end (i.e., numbers), they might actually see some growth -- actually, Yahoo and Real are taking some steps in that direction, with better web interfaces.

Lastly, as long as they insist on not supporting iPod users, or (as in the case of Napster) actively alienating iPod users), they will be relegated to an afterthought in the history of digital music - but that's due more to Microsoft not really taking any steps towards a truly consumer-centric DRM, or encouraging viable alternative players. So far, the players offered as 'competitors' are, by and large, c*** (*cough* Creative *cough*)

I use real's paid broadband radio service. I listen to 2 quality radio stations and use "jukebox" like channels like acid jazz sometimes.

Real subscriber base contains me? I think so.

I subscribed to Real's Rhapsody service, so I'm the one that doubled their subscription base. Unfortunately, Rhapsody does not work for me. Which reminds me, I need to call them and cancel before my free 14 days expires. I also tried another mp3 site. At least it worked, but didn't have anything to which I wanted to listen. I cancelled that one too. Apple's iTunes service has plenty of (if not all) the stuff I wish to hear, and actually works for me at both home and work. The #1 status of iTunse is not without a reason (or two).

Interesting pair of headlines on macnn: "Real doubles subscriber base" and ipodnn: "Real falls short, drops 9 percent".

that Ballmer & Gates forced all ms employees to join.

"Real executives argue that consumers are warming to the notion of subscriptions, arguing that the success of satellite-radio offerings from Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio prove that people are willing to pay a monthly fee for music."

Ya but you already get that, for free, in iTunes.

I wish these "news" sites would do something more than regurgitate corporate PR BS.

resuna nailed it with "Interesting pair of headlines": On macnn: "Real doubles subscriber base" On ipodnn: "Real falls short, drops 9 percent"

Which is it??