Zune Marketplace
The Zune Marketplace served as Microsoft's comprehensive digital storefront, providing a centralized hub for music, podcasts, television shows, movies, music videos, and mobile applications. Designed to integrate seamlessly across the Microsoft ecosystem, the marketplace allowed users to purchase and view content via Windows PCs (using the Zune software), Zune handheld devices, the Xbox 360, Windows Phone, and Microsoft Kin phones.
While it once stood as a primary competitor in the digital media space, the Zune Music Marketplace was eventually superseded by Xbox Music.
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Key Facts
- Music Library: Grew from 2 million to 14 million songs, eventually offering DRM-free MP3s at 320 kbit/s.
- Currency: Transactions were handled via Microsoft Points, with an exchange rate of $1 USD to 80 points.
- Subscription: The Zune Music Pass offered unlimited song downloads for a monthly fee.
- Device Support: Compatible with Zune devices, Xbox 360, Windows Phone, and Microsoft Kin.
- Transition: Rebranded as Xbox Music on October 15, 2012.
Music Services and DRM
The Zune Marketplace offered a vast library of 14 million songs sourced from the "big four" music groups—EMI, Warner Music Group, Sony BMG, and Universal Music Group—alongside various independent labels. Users could navigate the store via a home page featuring Microsoft-selected highlights or filter content by genres such as rock, pop, dance, and urban.
Initially, music was protected by Windows Media DRM (Digital Rights Management), a technology used to prevent unauthorized copying. Under this system, the Zune software only permitted the transfer of WMDRM content from the marketplace to Zune devices, though other compatible applications could still play the files. Eventually, the marketplace transitioned to offering DRM-free MP3s with a high-quality bitrate of up to 320 kbit/s.
Video and Application Offerings
The video section of the marketplace provided a wide array of television content from major networks and studios, including CBS, NBC, Fox, Discovery Communications, and Cartoon Network. Movies from studios like Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros. Pictures, and 20th Century Fox were available for purchase or time-limited rental, with some titles available in HD. For Xbox 360 users, selected purchases included 5.1 surround sound. This video service was later superseded by Xbox Video.
For the Zune HD, Microsoft provided a dedicated applications section. Starting with nine free Microsoft-developed apps, the library expanded to 62 games and applications over two years, including Facebook, Twitter, and Windows Live Messenger. Independent developers contributed apps using XNA Game Studio (C#) or OpenZDK (C++). However, the apps section and media collections were disabled within the software on August 31, 2012. Additionally, the Zune software acted as a gateway for users to install apps from the Windows Phone Marketplace.
Zune Music Pass
The Zune Music Pass was a subscription-based service that allowed users to download unlimited songs. These tracks were provided in WMA format at 192 kbit/s and remained restricted by DRM. Subscribers could sync their music to up to three Windows PCs and three Zune-compatible devices, though burning the tracks to audio CDs was prohibited.
Originally, US subscribers could keep 10 songs per month after their subscription ended, but this incentive was removed on October 3, 2011, the same day the monthly price was lowered to $9.99.
International Availability and Platforms
While originally exclusive to the United States, Zune Marketplace expanded in October 2010 to various regions across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia. The level of available content varied significantly by region.
| Content Type | Available Countries |
|---|---|
| Music | US, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Canada, Australia |
| Zune Music Pass | US, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Canada, Australia |
| Podcasts | United States |
| TV Shows | United States, Canada |
| Movie Rental/Purchase | US, UK, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland |
| Applications | Extensive availability including US, UK, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Russia, South Africa, and more |
Platform capabilities differed by device: the Windows PC software offered the full suite of content; the Xbox 360 focused on movie/music video downloads and Zune Pass streaming; and Zune devices, Windows Phone, and Microsoft Kin focused on music streaming and downloads, with Windows Phone also supporting app installations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the pricing model for Zune Marketplace?
Purchases were made using Microsoft Points. The exchange rate was 80 points per 1 US dollar. Most songs cost either 79 points ($0.9875) or 99 points ($1.24).
What happened to the Zune Marketplace?
The music portion of the marketplace was rebranded as Xbox Music on October 15, 2012, and the applications section was disabled on August 31, 2012.
Was the music on Zune Marketplace DRM-free?
Initially, music was protected by Windows Media DRM. However, the marketplace eventually transitioned to offering songs in a DRM-free MP3 format at up to 320 kbit/s.
Which devices were compatible with Zune Marketplace?
Compatible devices included Windows PCs (via Zune software), Zune handhelds, Xbox 360 consoles, Windows Phone smartphones, and Microsoft Kin phones.
How did the Zune Music Pass work?
It was a monthly subscription that allowed unlimited song downloads in WMA format (192 kbit/s). These songs were DRM-protected and could be used on up to three PCs and three compatible devices.