MUMBAI: US media conglomerate CBS is launching a new music label that will draw upon CBS Records and the mass media assets across its company to market and distribute new music.
An emphasis of the new label will be to build awareness for CBS Records' artists and songs by integrating music into CBS television series.
CBS also announced plans to make songs, music videos and other music-related content from CBS Records available for purchase and download at the iTunes Store. Offering an alternative approach to introducing music into the marketplace, CBS Records will build a select roster of artists from the limitless ranks of independent musicians who write and perform their own songs with an initial focus on digital distribution of their content.
In addition to the iTunes Store, the music will be offered through www.cbsrecords.com , as well as other agreements with online and wireless providers that will be announced at a later date. CBS Records will also offer physical distribution through partnerships with outside companies.
CBS president and CEO Leslie Moonves says, "CBS is one of the most powerful entertainment brands in the world, and music represents a natural and complementary extension of our content
assets.
"With more consumers choosing the online download model as the preferred way to purchase their favorite songs, we have an opportunity to use our unique and broad collection of media platforms to create a new music label paradigm for a small price of admission."
CBS Paramount Network Television Entertainment Group president Nancy Tellem says, "The marriage of television and music with CBS Records offers tremendous creative and commercial potential for everyone.
"Our artists will have access to an incredibly powerful medium (television) to drive music sales; our television producers will have greater flexibility to use music as a creative enhancement in their shows; and our company will be able to reduce the Network and studio's music licensing cost center while transforming it into a new revenue stream."
