On Demand Distribution
TypePrivate
IndustryDigital music store
FoundedNovember 1999 (1999-11) in Bristol, United Kingdom[1]
Founders
Defunct29 April 2009 (2009-04-29)
FateAcquired in June 2004
Successors
  • Loudeye
  • Nokia
Headquarters
Bristol
,
United Kingdom
Area served
Europe
Key people
Charles Grimsdale (CEO)
Brands
  • O-D2
  • OD2

On Demand Distribution (OD2) was one of the first online music download services, which existed from 1999 until 2009.

History

On Demand Distribution, short O-D2 or OD2, was founded by English musician Peter Gabriel, Real World, Real World CEO Mike Large and industry executives Charles Grimsdale, Dave Shephard and David Munns in November 1999.[1] The company based their infrastructure on the Windows Media framework.

OD2 launched their service on 24 May 2000 in London,[2] offering downloads from initial independent record companies Mushroom, Mute, V2, Real World, and dance music licensing agency Dynamik-Music the following day.

After OD2 having forged partnerships with record labels BMG, EMI, Warner and the Association of Independent Music (AIM), Universal Music licensed its catalogue to OD2 in 2002.[3]

OD2 was making a loss but in June 2004 was bought by US digital music distributor company Loudeye for $40 million.[4] Loudeye sold its other music distribution business in 2006, making OD2 its principal business. In October 2006 Loudeye was acquired by Finnish company Nokia for $60 million. The service was renamed Nokia Music Store.

Rival digital music distributors included MusicNet which was used by EMI, AOL/Time Warner, BMG and HMV - the latter of which defected from OD2 in 2005.

On 1 April 2009 OD2 informed all existing customers by e-mail and on the site that it was to close on 29 April 2009 and recommended all customers download Nokia Music.

Prior to its closure in 2009, its technology had been used by over 100 music download sites including MSN Music UK, MyCokeMusic, Planet Internet (KPN), Wanadoo and CD WOW!.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "About OD2". On Demand Distribution. Archived from the original on 19 August 2000. Retrieved 30 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ↑ Sexton, Paul (3 June 2000). "Gabriel, Indies Collaborate On Net Venture OD2". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 23. New York City: BPI Communications. p. 12. ISSN 0006-2510. OCLC 4086332.
  3. ↑ "Universal Music signs up to OD2". Campaign. London: Haymarket Media Group. 6 November 2002. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  4. ↑ Smith, Tony (22 June 2004). "Peter Gabriel sells digital music firm". The Register. London: Situation Publishing. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
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