Several more record companies are teaming up with internet portals to provide legal music downloads, as the business model for music sales continues to change in response to consumer behaviour on the internet.

Instant access to only the songs consumers wanted for a cheap (or free) price drove the birth of the original illegal music file swapping websites and, since the record companies have failed to close those sites down altogether, they seem to be deciding ‘if you can’t beat em, join em.’

The latest developments include an alliance between Sanity, Chaos, HMV and JB HiFI, which now sells song downloads throuogh ‘Destra’ (click below).

Telstra is also about to launch a music download site, as is ninemsn. Apple site iTunes has been operating for some time.

The radio industry should continue watching these trends for opportunities and potential threats to radio’s conventional business model.