Pressplay signs record labels

Holiday: A household name since about 1935

Online music service pressplay has signed a deal with six record labels, with access to the music of Billie Holliday and Kenny Rogers.

Pressplay is backed by Sony and Universal and is set to launch its service to subscribers this autumn.

Rogers: Fifty-nine albums in a five-decade career

The deals with independent labels Madacy, Navarre, OWIE, Razor & Tie, roadrunner and Rounder will extend its online library which already draws on tracks from Sony, Universal and EMI.

Pressplay's president, Andy Schuon, said: "These deals demonstrate Pressplay's dedication to provide music fans with what they demand - an online experience with no boundaries."

He added that Pressplay aims to continue to sign a wide variety of labels.

Parker: Influential jazz player of the 1940s

The move also will give music fans access to a wide variety of artists including 2 Live Crew, Charlie Parker, The Damned, Slipknot, Marshall Crenshaw, George Thorogood and The Waterboys.

Users will be able to stream and download digital music through affiliates, including MP3.com, MSN and Yahoo.

Online swapping services like Pressplay are the music industry's attempt to attract people away from the unofficial music download services that have sprung up since Napster's decision to develop a paid-for service.

Napster has also promised its users it will be up and running with a subscription-based website by the new year.