MTV Networks and Microsoft on Tuesday said they would join forces to design and develop a new digital music service. The service, to be called URGE, is due to launch in 2006 and will be integrated into a new version of Microsoft's Windows Media Player. Plans call for the service to offer more than 2 million songs for download from major labels and independents, as well as original content and MTV Networks programs.

The service will also offer music over online radio.

Currently, Microsoft's Media Player has built-in links to several music services, including MusicNow and Napster. The company also sells song downloads on its MSN Music Internet site.

URGE will reportedly not be compatible with Macintosh computers or the iPod digital music player.

IPods represent around 75 percent of the digital player market, and Apple's iTunes Music Store accounts for around 80 percent of the licensed music download market.