Apple readies European iTunes launch

Excitement reaches fever pitch

Apple is tuning up to launch iTunes in Europe this week and Napster has confirmed a distribution deal with NTL.

Apple is expected to announce tomorrow the availability of its iTunes service in France, Germany and the UK. Rumour has it Steve Jobs may even be in town for the launch. Rival music service Napster has done a deal with NTL to offer music downloads to its broadband customers, as first reported in The Register.

Napster's service went live in the UK last month offering downloads to subscribers willing to pay £9.95 a month. Last week it announced an expansion to its catalogue to fight off the challenge from iTunes which dominates the US market. ®

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