YAHOO! RE-LAUNCHES LAUNCH

There is such a thing as free Launch. But now, a new service from Yahoo! called Launchcast Plus gives users the option to pay for Launch and be spared the adverstisements that support the free version.

We’re talking, of course, about Yahoo!’s proprietary webcasting service, which, hot on the heels of settling a copyright infringement suit with Sony Music, has rolled out a new, subscription-based version of itself. Launchcast Plus, available beginning today, can be had for $3.99 per month, or $35.99 per year. The original, commercial-supported version of Launchcast will continue to operate.

In addition to providing commercial-free music, Launchcast Plus promises users additional niche-programmed stations such as "One Hit Wonders," "Vintage Country," "Show Tunes" and others, as well as broader genre-based stations and the ability to tune in to other users’ custom stations. The service features music from Universal Music Group (with whom Yahoo! previously settled copyright differences), Warner Music Group, BMG and Sony.

“LAUNCHcast Plus sets the standard for subscription internet radio by expanding on the excellence of LAUNCHcast.,” said Yahoo! VP/GM David Goldberg, reading his very own words as imagined by his publicist. “Yahoo! is committed to providing consumers with innovative and dependable premium services. With LAUNCHcast Plus, users now have another great option to listen to music.”