This comes after 7digital's launch of the HMV Canada download site on November 4. In September, HMV paid £7.7m to acquire 50% of 7digital although Drury says "the HMV Canada deal actually predated the strategic HMV deal".

"HMV Canada didn't have a download service before," says Drury. "You can't even buy CDs on their site. The only thing you could do on HMV Canada's site was check what is available in-store." With all the majors on board, this is the ...