A new iTunes challenger is getting ready to launch a Web site offering music-free music--with the support of Universal Music Group's extensive catalog. Among Universal Music Group's many artists are big names like Ashanti, Stevie Wonder and Beck.

Called SpiralFrog, the site will be available in December. The plan is that the company will offer customers free, ad-supported audio content.

Not surprisingly, SpiralFrog's target audience is people ages 13-34-a key music downloading demographic, wherein many are fans of iTunes and illegal music downloading sites.

SpiralFrog's CEO, Robin Kent, said the site is meant to offer young consumers an alternative to pirated music sites. He also said that SpiralFrog "will offer those consumers a better experience and environment than they can get from any pirate site."

Though the site offers few other details about how it will work, it bills itself as a "secure environment where music lovers can satisfy their unyielding passion and thirst for music, entertainment and information."

Though iTunes can satisfy music cravings, it's hard to beat good freebies, so we'll definitely check it out when it launches. Universal has a huge catalog of music they could promote on SpiralFrog, so despite the included ads the content might win over young music fans, especially those tired of paying $1 a song. Let the battle begin.
 

Info: www.spiralfrog.com/about.aspx