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Rhapsody has announced its European expansion through the acquisition of Napster International, the first music subscription service (flat rate) in Europe. Rhapsody will own and operate the service Napster in Germany and United Kingdom.

"The acquisition of Napster and its subscribers in the United Kingdom and Germany gives us an ideal entry to the European market," said Jon Irwin, CEO of Rhapsody. "Through the benefit of scale, the strength of our editorial program and strategic partnerships can be now Napster service to more consumers in a variety of platforms".

The news of the acquisition was very well received by the executives of the the music industry in Europe, who have been ardent supporters of Rhapsody and its business model.

"Rhapsody has played a key role in the definition of music services, which are essential for the future of the entire industry," said Rob Wells, CEO of global digital business of Universal Music Group. "I welcome the arrival of Rhapsody to Europe, where I hope to see its successful to attract subscribers of payment in United States they doubled".

Rhapsody maintains all Napster International employees and carry out its operations under the Napster brand in Germany and United Kingdom, where account wide recognition based on an independent study of brand awareness. Napster subscribers will migrate to the infrastructure of Rhapsody in March, time which will enjoy new features, including improved whilst maintaining the music libraries that have built a new web experience and speed and performance.

"We have always been committed, and will continue to remain so, offering fans the music of a more flexible and convenient way to consume and discovering music - anywhere and at all times wishing", said Thorsten Schliesche, responsible for Napster International general. "The acquisition is another important outstanding achievement." "The combination of Napster International subscribers with the broad base of Rhapsody in United States will serve to strengthen our position as the main music subscription service".

Napster subscribers will benefit immediately from various improvements in the product. In the coming months, consumers will see the improvements of the web clients and mobile applications, improved mainly in offline playback quality and with a greater capacity to manage playlists.

Rhapsody was the first music subscription service, launched in December 2001. Currently, it's the music service subscription premium of larger size in United States, with more than 1 million subscribers of payment and more than 14 million tracks in about 600 genera. The Rhapsody service is available in more than 70 electronic instruments of consumption, including all platforms for smart phones; more than the other services of its kind. Rhapsody subscribers enjoy also contained original Publisher since staff of music composers of prestige, including reviews, features, scheduled playback and more than 200 radio stations and radio playlists.