It seems like with all this talk about downloading music lately, sometimes people forget that radio is free! All the music you hear 24/7 on FM96 is free of charge to you. Our station is like your own giant personal collection of music that is always growing and changing daily with new artists and bands. You don't have to pay some sort of "fee" to listen to what we play and the labels don't expect us to charge.

What will happen to the music industry if?

Apple is in discussions with the major labels to sell iPods and iPhones that come with unlimited access to iTunes music.

Consumers would pay a one-time surcharge when they buy the device, and would be able to download as much music as they want for the life of the iPod or iPhone. So, does this mean they are going to make them more breakable? lol.

Hmm, free music forever?

It’s similar to a deal that Nokia worked out with Universal Music Group last year, to sell its phones with unlimited access to Universal tunes for an $80 premium.

Would you pay $80 for unlimited music?

According to sources, the Apple deal is being held up by negotiations over how much to charge for the access: Apple wants to keep the charge as low as $20, while the labels presumably want something closer to the Nokia deal.

Let me figure this out: A one time fee doesn't amount to much over time when people can continue to access music without really paying for it long term. You could say $80 is worth 10 albums, at $10 a piece. Once you have downloaded those 10 albums, you aren't really paying anymore.

How does this benefit the labels of the music industy, who would agree to the deal?