MTV and Real to join forces against Apple's iTunes

Citing people familiar with the matter, the financial paper said MTV and RealNetworks (which runs subscription digital music service Rhapsody), will band together (subscription required) with the common goal of taking on Apple Inc.'s iTunes Store.

As part of the deal, MTV will reportedly ditch its MTV Urge download service that it launched last year alongside Microsoft Corp.

Meanwhile, the Journal reported that the new service between MTV and Real will tap wireless provider Verizon Wireless to help supply mobile content to users.

The paper suggested that the pact with Verizon could bolster the new venture's battle against iTunes, given that Apple drew widespread criticism from mobile operators and consumers when it made AT&T its exclusive wireless provider for the iPhone.