31.   For example, he said the record industry launched MusicNet and Pressplay, two online music subscription services, late last year without consulting retailers.

32.   For instance, the association remains in negotiations with the five major record companies, which plan to start their own online subscription services.

33.   For the past several months, Napster has been trying to shed its outlaw image and transform itself into a legitimate subscription service.

34.   He said a major sticking point with the online music subscription service continues to be the inability to transfer music to a portable device.

35.   He said Napster would maintain a free, promotional component, but he was vague on how the free site might differ from the subscription service.

36.   He said music might best be offered as a subscription service, in which consumers pay a monthly fee to have access to music on demand.

37.   He was also rueful about Counsel Connect, the lawyers-only subscription service, which he insists is underrated.

38.   If they opt for multiple channels, they could use some of the airwaves for the subscription services.

39.   If the other channels are used for subscription services, ABC would have to pay a fee to the government, though the amount has not been set.

40.   Indeed, the Bertelsmann Music Group has a pending deal to create such a subscription service with Napster and has invited the other big music companies to take part.