EMI Recorded Music announced that it has entered into a strategic agreement with virtuebroadcasting.com, one of Europe’s most established streaming and internet broadcast companies.
The agreement secures virtuebroadcasting’s position as a preferred provider of webcasting services for EMI’s UK labels and a recommended provider of webcasting services in other countries of operation. It gives EMI access to the range of streaming, hosting, digitisation and internet production services which virtuebroadcasting provides. As part of the agreement EMI is acquiring a small stake in virtuebroadcasting.
virtuebroadcasting’s expertise in webcasting and streaming media will be key to the success of marketing EMI’s many artists on line, said Jay Samit, senior vice president, New Media, EMI Recorded Music. ‘We are very pleased to be forming a strategic relationship with a company which has built up such a track record of success in a relatively short period of time.
Both parties will continue to build upon the significant success of past internet broadcasts such as Paul McCartney, Blur, Richard Ashcroft, Mel C and the Fun Lovin’ Criminals, as well as video releases for artists including Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue. The first internet broadcast following this agreement will be the performance in London on 4 February by Parlophone artist Neil Finn which will be subsequently broadcast online on Finn’s official site at www.nilfun.net and at www.virtuetv.com and in conjunction with media partners.
As part of the agreement, virtuebroadcasting will also be granted EMI’s first European internet radio licence and will work with EMI to generate new exclusive web programming, including the promotion of catalogue material as well as new releases.
EMI’s relationship with virtue demonstrates the value record companies, said Nick English, co-founder and President of virtuebroadcasting. Being a full-service streaming broadband network, customer satisfaction is the priority and to be able to deliver this to a company with an international presence such as EMI positions us as a European industry leader. We are very pleased to be so involved in EMI’s online distribution strategy.
