MUMBAI: Sony BMG and MobiTV, a platform for content delivery over mobile and broadband networks, have entered into an agreement. Sony BMG would add more than 2,500 music videos to the MobiTV service in the US.
MobiTV will put the videos into rotation immediately on their existing, branded music channels, giving fans access to a library of 7,000+ music videos through their mobile service. The two parties will also collaborate on the creation of a series of customised channels featuring original video programming. The content will range from long-form concerts to genre and artist-driven shows and series, some of which will be available for an additional fee. In many cases the programming will be conceived and created by the artists themselves. The first of such initiatives, created in collaboration with RCA Records artist Avril Lavigne, is a mobile site called Avril TV Avril TV content is available through participating US carriers via video enabled phones, with a limited content package available to Wap enabled phone users. |
Other content related to Avril Lavigne, including her biography, a photo gallery, and links to buy ringtones, ring back tones, screensavers and more are also available. CBS Television Network will be the first to sponsor this fully ad supported site. Avril fans can now get access to Avril TV by simply going to the Avril TV WAP site on their cell phones. The link to the Wap site is available through Avril‘s website, MySpace page and distributed to her fan-base via SMS and email blast. Sony BMG president, global digital business and US sales Thomas Hesse says, "We‘re delighted to be working with MobiTV as we continue to build our presence in the mobile space. We look forward to working closely with them as we explore a wide range of innovative programming concepts." MobiTV executive producer of music television Nancy Levin says, "MobiTV is the only mobile television service in the industry that has the rights to stream full-length music videos from three major music groups. "MobiTV continues to prove itself as the dominant player in mobile television by opening doors for top labels and artists; giving their content an extended reach across entertainment platforms of the future." Today, MobiTV‘s US mobile and broadband subscribers can access music videos from music labels, bundled throughout seven branded channels and categorised by genres including hip-hop, pop, rap, rock, country, Latin and alternative. In contrast to other mobile offerings that require a user to purchase access to each video, MobiTV subscribers have unlimited access to music videos for no extra charge beyond the monthly subscription fee. |