This is part of preparations to deliver new, innovative music experiences as part of Ovi during 2011. This comes in response to customer feedback and promises to deliver better, more locally relevant experiences. However, the new deals and other arrangements necessary for this to happen meant that old ones needed to be ended. More details on these new services will come soon.
Ongoing commitments in particular markets mean that the change is not universal. Nokia will continue to offer 12-month subscriptions in China and India, while offering six-month subscriptions in Brazil, Turkey and South Africa.
There will be no disruption to the service for these customers, nor for anyone elsewhere in the world who has an existing subscription, nor for anyone who purchases an Ovi Music Unlimited device from existing stocks. If, for example, you bought an Ovi Music Unlimited device last Saturday, you'll still get full value from the subscription that came with the device.
Ovi Music – the DRM-free, a-la-carte music store – is not affected in any way.
Further details are presented by Ovi Music's Adam Mirabella in this video.