Streaming music coming to Xbox?

Microsoft has revealed it will be launching a music streaming service this month that could appear on Xbox 360.

The company claims the service should be ready by the end of July and will be akin to Spotify, allowing users to stream music for free or purchase downloadable tracks.

Speaking to The Telegraph, MSN’s executive producer Peter Bale hinted that this new initiative may be linked to Xbox 360, but did not offer any details on how it would work.

Music is an important area for Microsoft,” said Bale. We are looking at launching a music streaming service imminently. It will be a similar principle to Spotify, but we are still examining how the business model will work.

We are looking at how other similar businesses have structured their business models and trying to figure out what will work best for both consumer and Microsoft.”

A Microsoft-owned music streaming service complements the platform holder’s strategy to make the Xbox 360 the leading entertainment hub” in consumers’ homes. The company recently announced a similar initiative at E3 when it unveiled a new partnership with Last.FM.