Apple Inc. said on Tuesday sales at its online music store iTunes have topped 3 billion songs.

The company, which makes the market-leading iPod digital media player, said iTunes recently surpassed Amazon.com Inc. and Target Corp. to become the third-largest music retailer in the United States.

When it debuts Tuesday on the Web, My Damn Channel will become the latest attempt by Hollywood professionals to cash in on the huge popularity of online video.

Comedian Harry Shearer, filmmaker David Wain and music producer Don Was, among others, also hope to find creative freedom seldom offered by traditional media companies.

The site is the brainchild of former MTV and CBS Radio executive Rob Barnett, who believes Internet audiences want to see professionally produced shows other than network TV fare.