Under the terms of the agreements, the labels will each license their titles to Ecast, which provides a software platform for the delivery and management of entertainment content to Internet-connected jukeboxes and, in the case of some of the agreements, other Internet entertainment consoles.
From Ecast’s music library users have access to more than 10,000 albums from the major record labels as well as various independent labels. All music in the Ecast Network is digitized and delivered in Microsoft’s Windows Media Audio (WMA) format. In addition, Ecast secures the labels’ music by using proprietary wartermarking and encryption technologies.
These agreements enable Ecast to deliver a great on demand music experience, said Mouli Cohen, Ecast chief executive officer. With the support of the labels, Ecast’s secure, digital platform brings fans into a new era of entertainment enjoyment.
The Ecast platform allows commercial establishments to offer patrons a personalized entertainment experience on a pay-per-play basis. In fact, customers who use Ecast-powered jukeboxes can create their own playlists from Ecast’s vast selection of fully licensed music, save those lists in their Club Ecast account, and play the tracks on their lists on any Ecast-powered jukebox nationally.
Signing deals with the labels positions Ecast as a leader in the rapidly growing digital entertainment market, said Roger McAulay, Ecast president and chief operating officer. These agreements represent a significant milestone for consumers and the music industry alike.
With the growth of digital entertainment, consumers have the opportunity to experience music like never before, said Larry Kenswil, president, Universal Music Group’s eLabs. UMG is looking forward to delivering its music in a new, interactive way through Ecast’s digital jukeboxes.
Ecast is an innovative and secure way for BMG to bring our artists closer to their fans through high-quality audio on digital jukeboxes, said Bob Jamieson, president and CEO, BMG North America. BMG recognizes the value that Ecast offers both consumers and our artists by giving music fans the option to access their favorite music in a new way.
Being able to select songs on a jukebox is part of the fun of going out, said Jay Samit, senior vice president, new media, EMI Recorded Music. Now, thanks to Ecast’s technology, music fans can be assured that their favorite tunes are always available.
The Internet allows for many opportunities to bring music to the consumer in new ways, said Al Smith, senior vice president, Sony Music Entertainment. Ecast’s secure delivery system gives fans the opportunity to create a personal music experience in a public space.
