Google's China music service posts growth

Google’s mainland online music service is showing strong growth, according to a top executive at the US search company’s Chinese partner Orca Digital, the Wall Street Journal reported. The service is providing about five million songs daily and is attracting advertiser interest, even though revenue is relatively small. The music search service launched in March, and remains only available in China. It is the only major service to let users download and listen to streaming licensed music for free. The music library includes content from Warner Music Group, Vivendi SA’s Universal Music, EMI and Sony Music Entertainment. Orca Digital and Google have already signed advertising deals worth US$370,000 with five firms, including Apple, Nokia, and Volkswagen, and expect to close several more deals at US$1 million each. The new business model is a departure from earlier models that require users to purchase individual songs or albums, which have had limited impact on piracy.