New York - The recording industry has developed a new format, the "ringle," that is essentially a CD single with three songs and an added ringtone that can be downloaded from the Internet via the CD, Billboard reported.

Sony BMG, which invented the format, is slated to offer 50 ringle titles through November, while Universal Music Group will offer between 10 and 20.

Ringle titles are expected to cost $5.98 or $6.98 each, and will sell from retailers including Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy and Amazon.com.

While profit margins for the labels on ringles are considered slim, the major labels "are gambling that the ringle can instill in consumers the mind-set to connect to the Internet via the CD," Billboard noted.

So far, only Sony has partnered with a digital aggregator to allow consumers to redeem the ringtone element of its ringles.

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/2g4ddu (Billboard)

http://www.sonybmg.com