The New Napster: The Best Bang for Your Five Bucks

A decade ago, the original Napster revolutionized the way people discovered and enjoyed music, and finding it has never been the same. Now, the brand that started it all enters its latest phase, and we're shaking things up again with the best deal in music history.

Beginning today, you (U.S. customers only) can enjoy our latest music offering combining the freedom of MP3s with the discovery benefits of a high-quality streaming music service — all for one low price. For as little as $5 per month, you get five unrestricted MP3 downloads and unlimited access to Napster’s on-demand music streaming service.

It's the best of both worlds: MP3s you can keep forever, play, transfer and burn as often as you like, as well as unlimited music listening to our catalog of more than seven million tracks. Why spend that $5 at a music download store that offers only 30-second clips and fewer songs, when you can enjoy so much more?

In addition to the new value, the latest version of Napster includes a new download manager that automatically saves downloaded MP3s to iTunes or Windows Media Player. And the new personalized My Page gives you a personalized digest of the music you’ve listened to, and helps you discover music by highlighting new music tailored for you each Tuesday.

You can learn more about today's Napster by watching this video:

New Napster Overview

[If you're a current subscriber, you will automatically see the savings and MP3 credits in your account on your next billing/renewal date. Check your email inbox for more details.]

So, what do you think about the new service?

Comments

[Peter]

What is everybody switching too? My company has a no streaming music policy so the new plan doesn't work for me either....

[soon to be former customer]

Class action lawsuit.

[Mike Armstrong]

This is the worst customer service I have ever seen!

My story is similar to many of those posted. Loyal customer for many years, get the "welcome to napster" email after my CC was charged, called customer service and was told the charge could NOT be applied toward an Napster TG subscription, and this was a seperate charge. Not to mention that I was treated rudely.

Promptly cancelled my subscription. Enjoy going out of business...

[Belinda]

I used to subscribe, but wasn't getting my money's worth, so moved to the Lite version and just paid per track. Great. And I could play my downloads offline. Important benefit IMHO.
First I heard of this idiocy was when trying to play a track in Windows Media Player (which worked previously) and up pops a Napster intrusion about track ownership. 'Scuse me but I thought I'd paid already!
Whatever Napster decides to do in future (which I'm not going to be part of, Napster) I'm really angry that I can't now play the tracks I have legally downloaded from you previously. What's with this retrospective cr@p?

[angry and disgruntled]

WTF NAPSTER?!?! I download a shit ton of music only to find out that it only will play if I renew my license once a month by paying 14.95?!?! I PAID 14.95 and should be able to listen to whatever I downloaded in that time period I paid for!Plus your site moves S-L-O-W! I WILL be Canceling!

[dreamviewer]

This is totally ridiculous and very poor customer service to treat existing customers in this way. I am a UK customer and Napster downgraded the service without notification and continued to take £9.95 from my bank account for their £5.00 service which I have only just realised today.

I am cancelling my subscription as soon as I can and although Napster-to-go offers what I want, on principle I will never use Napster again and be looking elsewhere.

[Muttley]

Hi have to say, I agree with most of the comments here.

I only noticed the changes today as I hadn't used the service for a while. I also noticed that when my account changed from 'Napster Premium - UK (SB-3813)' to 'Active Napster Unlimited 1 month (SB-32040)', there was no change to the monthly fee (£9.95). For the last two months I've been paying £9.95 for the £5.00 service!
I'm sure Napster had their reasons for downgrading the service, but they should have informed their subscribers first.
I tried to cancel my subscription, but there was no answer on their support phone number! I'll keep trying though.

[Callum Gibson]

Ha. Napster is no longer. This will be the end of Napster as we know it. I feel sorry for the people that made this decision. They must be somewhat Spotify-ed.

[James Harrison]

This is really disappointing.

I pay £9.99 a month for the Napster service. Now the service has been reduced and yet, without notification, I still pay £9.99 a month...

Would it not have been better to restrict the number of tracks/albums your 9.99/month can buy.... or reduce the subs to £5.99 and allow members to continue to download for listening offline?

Napster is now like subscribing to Sky+ but without the abilitye to record your favourite programmes for later viewing.

Time to look elsewhere perhaps.

It was great while it lasted...

[Craig]

This has got to be a joke - disabling downloads? I could already stream before, so I can't get excited about that - even though it is now the ONLY feature of my account. Removing functionality is just dumb. TPB gets my vote from now on...

[Mark]

Oh dear. So to keep the functionality I had before (to download), I have to pay £15 per month rather than the £9.95 I was paying before. This is a good thing because...?

[bobby]

I just subscribed to Napster yesterday for $15/ 3 months. After downloading the software and all, I went to click "download" on new songs I liked and that feature was locked. I cannot download the songs, which is explicitly why I have subscribed. I sent an email regarding my concern and I have not been answered yet. Please help me, or I will cancel my subscription.

[elizabethrose]

i had the same problem, didn't realise napster to go was still an option (been a napster to go subscriber since it was introduced). gave customer services a call and am being refunded the £15 for napster unlimited and put back onto napster to go. so overall a silly mistake by napster not to inform us but they are willing to give refunds and sort everything out therefore i personally am keeping thumbs up for napster.

[craigpeake]

Ruined.

I will be cancelling my subscription tonight.

I also did not receive an email reguarding the change.

[Andy]

One of the advantages of the previous incarnation of Napster's subscription service was the ability to download tracks (albeit with DRM) of a higher quality than the streamed equivalent. For those of us who want quality rather quantity the new improved subscriptions would appear to be a backward step. Up the resolution of your streamed tracks or loose customers to the likes of Spotify!

[Deacon]

Count me as one more dissatisfied FORMER Napster customer. Way to bow down to the RIAA and kcuf your customers over. Best Buy blows and now so does Napster.

[Dwayne]

This sucks.
Time to look for alternatives.

Napster-to-go is not worth 14.95 a month.
And no notification of the change.

Should have known they were going to go downhill after being bought out by Best Buy.

[John]

Wow seems like if you mention another company that still has a download service your posts get deleted... ahhh love censorship...

[John]

WOW!!! you guys just seem to want to lose customers!! I have bee a sub for 3 years or more and now will probably leave! Its funny MS releases Zune Pass for 15$ a month and you say lets eliminate our 12.95 service that competes and just piss everone off.

How about you have the new plans and ledt the existing customes keep what they had like EVERY OTHER COMPANY DOES!!!!]

ITS CALLED GTRANDFATHERING!!!!!!!

Goodbye Napster hello Rhapsody again.....

[John]

WOW!!! you guys just seem to want to lose customers!! I have bee a sub for 3 years or more and now will probably leave! Its funny MS releases Zune Pass for 15$ a month and you say lets eliminate our 12.95 service that competes and just piss everone off.

How about you have the new plans and ledt the existing customes keep what they had like EVERY OTHER COMPANY DOES!!!!]

ITS CALLED GTRANDFATHERING!!!!!!!

Goodbye Napster hello Rhapsody again.....

[John]

WOW!!! you guys just seem to want to lose customers!! I have bee a sub for 3 years or more and now will probably leave! Its funny MS releases Zune Pass for 15$ a month and you say lets eliminate our 12.95 service that competes and just piss everone off.

How about you have the new plans and ledt the existing customes keep what they had like EVERY OTHER COMPANY DOES!!!!]

ITS CALLED GTRANDFATHERING!!!!!!!

Goodbye Napster hello Rhapsody again.....

[Tonya]

I did not get any emails from Napster regarding this change. I only received a Welcome To Napster email, which I thought was strange because I have used Napster for years now. I am not happy about the price going up and them taking away the ability to download. What is the point in Napster anymore?

[Kathryn]

Well, I too just logged in to Napster to download some new music, and was completely confused as to why the download link wasn't working... Did a little research and found this. Wow! This is horrible! If I wanted to buy 15 downloads for $15 I'd go to itunes. The whole reason why I used Napster was that I could keep as many files on my computer as I wanted to, as long as my subscription was valid. If I wanted streaming online audio, I'd get that somewhere else for free. This is a terrible change and I'm sorry to say that it's simply not worth my money to pay for a subscription when I could go ala carte with iTunes whenever I wanted for $1 per song - which ends up being the same price as this new subscription (15 songs for $15).

So, that said, I just called customer service and had my plan switched over to Napster to go (Yes, I got ahold of someone on a Saturday, even though they said it was closed). Although I'm not happy about the change and the increase in price, at least I can keep my music and continue to download as I did before.

All in all, this was a badly made change in their business model. I work in the marketing dept for a large internet retail company, and we would NEVER do this to our customers. My suggestion to Napster is that they should have changed the Napster home screen for the next few months so that a page would pop up when subscribers log in, notifying them of this change, and then allowing them to CHOOSE whether they wanted to continue with a different service like this. Instead, I logged in and was confused and upset as to why I couldn't use the service. For shame Napster... For shame. Sounds like your marketing department needs to be a little more considerate of the customer's perspective.

[Christopher Allen]

Hi Dan - Yes, Napster To Go is still available. Currently, you can't change your subscription plan via the site or the client, but you can contact Customer Service, and they'll take care of this for you.

You can call Napster Customer Support at 800.839.4210, Monday through Friday, 9am to 10pm Eastern Time.

[Dan]

OK, I'm with the majority of the above, eager to bash Napster for changing this without clear advance communication to current customers, AND for changing it at all.

THAT SAID, let me add this: a customer service rep told me that "Napster To Go" is still available (at $15/month) which DOES continue to allow download to the laptop... however, I can't for the life of me figure out how to upgrade my subscription TO that via the web site or Napster client. So... is it for real?

[james r]

Well Napster has just become my least favorite music option...not only did they give me no notice that they were changing my subscription but it has now become COMPLETELY USELESS. What I want is the ability to download to my laptop as many songs as I want as long as I maintain my subscription...if I wanted a streaming service I would just use web radio. NAPSTER - YOU HAVE RUINED YOUR SERVICE AS WELL AS PARTICIPATING IN DECEPTIVE BUSINESS PRACTICES WITH YOUR CURRENT CUSTOMERS. I will be cancelling my plan ASAP.

[G]

Well, I guess it was good while it lasted. I enjoyed being able to download my tracks and listen to music then use my internet connection for other things besides streaming crap from Napster. They dropped the ball with this one. Along with the other subscribers (not any more at least), I didn't receive any email and I will be contacting my bank on a business day about fraudulent activity. This is a low blow Napster and I hope everyone else realizes that they are trying to up the ante and pull services. I didn't agree to this $15 for 15 MP3s in 3 months BS and with that said, I'm pulling this subscription.

[Kelly]

Oh yeah...and I just cancelled and will be doing the same as a previous post in asking my bank to refund the charge as this was fraudulent and I was never notified or given the option to cancel prior to the changes.

[Kelly]

Wow. Came to the right place. Wondering why my subscription changed prices and then sign on only to find I can't d/l anymore. Lates Napster. There are always bit torrents. Doubt you'll stay in businazzzz with this dumbass move. Peace out and burn in hell.

[jairo]

... idiots.

[jairo]

i am done with napster.

[Justin]

Just canceled my subscription. Napster really screwed the pooch on this one.

[T. Deadly]

Completely worthless now. I used the download to take music with me on my laptop and can't do that anymore. It looks like I am not the only one that will be cancelling my subscription. Good business plan Napster...how to lose half your subscribers in one fell swoop.

[Mike]

Hey, does napster to go get unlimited downloads for a flat monthly fee like normal napster used to? Because if so, I will probably get it. Otherwise I am taking my business elsewhere. Nice going napster (said sarcastically).

[Ken]

Whoever thought of this idea, should be FIRED. And charging me $15 without my permission?? ILLEGAL (and as a lawyer, I can say that without any hesitation). While it's not something worth suing over, it is something worth firing your legal/marketing department over. F*cking idiots.

[John]

I'm going to call to cancel as well. The service was working well for me because I like to download to my laptop and listen offline while my family is using the internet. I can get streaming music for free elsewhere.

Are you listening, Napster?

[jason]

I called to cancel. I changed over to the napster-to-go plan. Not happy, but i get my downloads back. Wasn't it just $9.95 or something? 50% increase seems like a lot.

[jason]

OK, I'm leaving Napster. Where can i go that will allow me to download music w/o streaming?

[David]

This new "improvement" sucks! I used the download feature constantly because music on my PC is reliable and I don't have to count on internet availability and bandwidth. Trying to spin the story that I get 15 MP3 credits and that is better than unlimited download is pure crap.

On the notification point - I never saw an email letting me know about this "improvement" just as several others have commented. Napster needs to get a clue about customer service and communication.

[pissednapsteruser]

I am really upset, too. I was never notified of any change, but my card was charged $15. I am going to dispute this charge with my bank, for sure. I did not agere to this service changing like this. What a big rip off. Thanks for the disappointment napster. I guess I will subscribe to a better service and leave you guys after I've been with you for over 10 years.

[Jim]

I was hoping to find others that were pissed off by the change... Good to see I'm not the only pissed off, long time Napster customer. I just discovered the change last night. I was extremely upset.

Like many who have already commented, I also did NOT receive any prior notification.... Napster just made the change. (is that even legal?)

The new service is totally worthless. Napster WAS the best service out there now it is a piece of junk, just like iTunes.

I noted I've already been charged $15 for my first three months. You can bet I will cancel my Napster service when that runs out. I really want to let out a long string of "colorful" words to puntuate just how pissed I am, but that would only get this message deleted.

(sigh).....

[poi987]

Cancelled my account today. As someone who is on the road for work, it was nice to load songs on the laptop to listen to when I wasn't able to connect to the internet. If I want streamed music, I can go to other sites that provide it for free.

The notification of their new program was disappointing. When I called to cancel, I was told that numerous e-mails went out to my e-mail address before the change. However, the only e-mail I received was a Welcome e-mail that I thought was a mistake since I already had an acount for over a year. I wasn't aware they were changing the service.

[Scott]

Please consider allowing two connections at once to the plan if they are on the same IP/network.

Admins, you have my email from this post, you have permission to email me should you release this option.

When I have a party, I have two floors with two surround sound systems. I'd be cool to setup a tiny kiosk on each floor where my company can change the music on naspster.com as they want!

Until then, we'll stick with Sirius from my dish plan.

[Bearlegdairy]

Well, this makes the service totally useless to me. I'll be canceling my subscription tomorrow.

[Rob]

Note: This is not the Rob who appears to have some connection to Napster.

This is a question to Greg.

When you said "Why should I pay to stream when other sites do that for free?" are you referring to sites like Pandora or last.fm, or another site? Can you clue me in?

Thanks.

[BW94941]

Very poor communications skills at Napster HQ. Unclear even in FAQs about how "light" users are supposed to listen to their custom playlists, etc. that they've built up on their computers via downloads.

Rob....any answers?

[DA]

I guess I will have to go to another service...which is too bad because I had finally become comforatable with Napster's service and it had worked well. I'm out.

[gorrito]

Me, too. Napster is useless to me if I can't download tracks anymore. Why should I pay to stream when other sites do that for free? And if I have to buy each track to download it, I'm done with you guys.

I guess that means I'll have to use another service, which really pains me because I hate that piece of junk iTunes.

[Greg]

I'm with Wesley and Justin.

I NEVER received an email about this change. I'm irate that now I can't download my tracks anymore.

What gives? As far as I'm concerned, I'm done with Napster.

[smoochacha]

Am i the only one having to delete all downloaded napster tracks and upload them all over again with my Napster to go plan? Did i understand that bit correctly? Let me tell you, four years' worth of downloads = pain in the ass.

[Justin]

I think your comment to Wesley was really directed at me.

When did this email go out? I have not received any emails and neither have the few Napster subscribers in my family. My next billing happens in 2 days, so I would've thought I would have seen something (and yes, I checked spam/trash/etc)...

Is it linked anywhere online?

[Rob]

Wesley-

Napster customers got an e-mail telling them about the change in service. $12.95 customers were moved to the $15 package for THREE months with 15 MP3s. The change occurs on the next billing cycle.

Napster to go will not change at this time.

[Rob]

Scott-
There are plans to launch a similar service outside the US. I don’t have a date but we’ll post in on the blog.

[Scott]

Are there any plans to launch a similar service outside of the US?

[Scott]

Are there any plans to launch a similar service outside of the US?

[Justin]

So are the changes as they pertain to existing customers being communicated anywhere? A family member just sent me an email that he has a $15 charge from Napster (As opposed to the normal $12.95) and can't download music anymore without paying to listen offline, and he's not particularly happy. My Napster account hasn't changed but I'm thinking it's just a matter of billing. But I don't see what is changing anywhere. Will Napster To Go members (which neither of us are) still be able to download music? Seems like a sneaky way to up the prices a couple more bucks for those of us who want to listen to music offline without necessarily having to connect to Napster (since the tracks play fine in Windows Media Player)... I don't always have wifi for my laptop yet I like being able to listen to some favorite songs. I like the cheaper price but not at the cost of flexibility.

[Wesley]

It seems like a good deal but 2 additional things would make it perfect for me:

An iPhone app for mobility

Compatibility with my Nintendo Wii browser for listening via my home stereo

I would pay for one year in advance if I had those features.

[Rob]

Scott-

At this time, you can only be logged in and using the service on one PC at a time.

[Scott]

I can't find ANYWHERE where it says whether you can use the $5 service and play it on multiple PCs at the same time within the same home on the same network/IP.

I submitted an email, but does anyone know?

[nsfw]

To the person who wants to download to a device and not be connected to the internet..how do you expect the license to work if the license manager can't communicate with the home base? You could just download 1,000,0000 songs and cancel your service. Its not gonna work.
The $5 service is for streaming on your computer. You get 5 songs DRM free to keep for any device you want a month.
You'll need to spend $14+ a month for napster to go to download to a portable music player that is play4sure compatible. Of course you need to reconnect that device to your computer every couple of weeks to renew the license. Ipods are not play4sure. You can find play4sure sure devices like sansa for $25 out there. Its really nice to download whatever you can 'eat'. Of course I agree with the other comments. Throw the NTG people a bone. The price is pretty high and were are our free songs?

[DashboardDJ]

Well, I see you deleted my comments from yesterday. Truth does hurt!!!

So the new Napster Light service is now replaced by this $5 a month plan. That is a great savings for them. What about us Napster-To-Go subscribers? Can we subscribe to both NTG & the $5 plan or is that too hard for the nappy programmers to figure out? Us NTG peeps have to suffer through thousands of 30 second snippets, at least for an extra $5, we can listen to full songs and get 5 free downloads. Or would we have to create another user name & account to use this new plan?

It also would have beeen nice for us NTG subscribers to have been emailed about this new plan. That way we could decide if we want to switch. But nappy seems to always tells us what is best for us. Thanx big brother for not letting me think for myself.

[jim]

First Question
I want to be able to use this subscription on a portable music player?
Not just the 5 downloaded songs but the 7 million songs I subscribe.

Here is what I expect. I want to be able to add songs from the Napster library to a portable player and have them available as long as I keep up the subscription and be able to play them without having to be connected to the internet.

If this is possible what music players are compatible with this new 5 dollar subscription service.

There is not much information about this. Napster do a better job of explaining your service.

[William]

Napster + Sonos is music streaming heaven!

[M]

What about Napster To Go subscriptions? Will any downloads now be included in that plan?

[Robert]

awesome!