Telewest has paired up with Virgin Digital to plug its new music download service.

The UK cableco has signed a two-year deal to become a preferred ISP for Virgin Digital's new download service which was launched last week.

A spokeswoman for Telewest told us that no cash was changing hands as part of the tie-up and that it was a "strategic partnership" instead.

Virgin Digital is also understood to be holding discussions with other ISPs - including NTL-owned Virgin.net - to plug the service.

For Telewest, it plans to tempt it 850,000 broadband users with free trials and music downloads. It is also keen to stream live gigs - hosted by Virgin Digital - via its web-based TV service.

In a statement Telewest said: "The partnership is part of Telewest Broadband's strategy of bringing leading content and applications partners together to help its customers get the best from their net connection."

While Virgin unveiled its online jukebox last week, a similar service from rival HMV went live today. ®

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