Mxit launches music platform

Mxit and Mondia Media have launched a music service for the South African mobile platform.

Mxit Music is an “a la cart” music service built for the Mxit platform by Mondia Media through its digital music subsidiary, Cylo Digital through a partnership between Sony Music, Universal Music and Select Music.

The service was officially launched in April 2013, but was toned down while bugs were flushed out, according to Mxit.

According to Anton Van Niekerk, VP of user monetisation at Mxit, the partnership with Mondia Media gives Mxit users access to cost effective – and legal – music downloads via Mxit.

“With their music selection always achieving at least 95% of their international and local charts, our users can be sure to find their favourite hits,” Van Niekerk said.

Mondia Media is the service provider and manages the permissions, DRM and royalty payments from all the downloads, Van Niekerk said, while Mxit serves as the technology platform, delivery and billing mechanism.

Using the Mxit platform, users can download the music to their phones once they are logged in. Songs are available per track, and the tracks are priced at R8.50, R7.00 and R4.00 – or 850 Moola, 700 Moola and 400 Moola, respectively.

However, Mxit is only one of the platforms using Mondia Media as its content provider.

In 2012 Mondia launched an ad-funded music service for Samsung in SA, Kenya and Nigeria, and in a statement, the content provider revealed that it is currently collaborating with Look & Listen to re-launch the retailer’s digital music store.

Mondia Media says it has engaged with over 700 artists, aggregators and labels, “building one of the largest catalogues of high quality digital music products in Africa”.