Press release
NEW MUSIC SERVICE TO GO LIVE ON THURSDAY 3RD DECEMBER
· Platform offers UK consumers access to the largest music and video catalogues from majors, independent labels and unsigned talent
· Leading artists including 50 Cent, Kasabian, Alicia Keys, Pixie Lott, Florence & the Machine, David Guetta and Nelly Furtado to support launch campaign
· The first playlists uploaded to the UK service to include selections from The Vatican to Katie Price
· Agreement reached with PRS for Music to reward music creators
MySpace has today announced the UK launch of MySpace Music, a new platform offering users free access to one of the most comprehensive catalogue of audio tracks and music videos available on the web. The new service will provide music fans with unlimited free streaming and unlimited free playlisting. It will enable users to download, stream and personalise their music content, creating and sharing their playlists using the MyMusic system. MySpace Music users will also now be able to purchase and download DRM-free songs on the iTunes Store, playable on all digital music devices.
A host of leading UK and international acts there are supporting MySpace Music. The launch kicks off with an intimate concert on Wednesday the 2nd of December from one of UK's biggest live acts, Kasabian. 50 Cent, Pixie Lott, Florence & the Machine, Alicia Keys, Chipmunk, David Guetta, Lost Prophets, and Nelly Furtado are among a number of high-profile acts who are taking part in the launch in a series of interactive films that can be personalized by users, and personal playlists that allow fans to get closer than ever before to the artists they love.
The new service premieres with exclusive personal playlists from a wide cross section of famous music fans ranging from Katie Price to The Vatican. The Vatican's playlist features artists as diverse as Muse, Mozart, Dame Shirley Bassey and Tupac. Katie Price's playlist, which she plays when "getting ready for a night out" features tracks including Kanye West's' ‘Heartless' and Beyonce's ‘Single Ladies'.
Artists are also set to benefit from the launch via the MySpace Artist Dashboard - a free tool which allows all artists unlimited access to unique in depth demographic, social and activity data of their core fans.
MySpace Music functionality includes:
· The new MyMusic personal music management system
· Free and unlimited ad-supported, full-length audio and music video streaming
· Fully licensed content catalogue and artist discographies from majors and indie partners
· Free and unlimited playlist functionality organized in a user friendly ‘drag and drop' way
· Exclusive audio, video, and playlist content from top UK artists and icons
· DRM-free downloads via iTunes
· Free artist access to the MySpace Music Dashboard - a unique and free analytics tool which allows artists to have a much greater insight into what their fans are doing.
· Charts - a front door to the most popular artists, songs, albums and videos on MySpace Music from all artists globally
MySpace has also announced that it has agreed an online music license with PRS for Music, which represents 65,000 of the UK's songwriters, composers and music publishers. The agreement allows PRS for Music songwriters and composers featured on MySpace to receive royalties for their work, demonstrating the ongoing commitment of both companies to nurture creative music talent in the UK.
MySpace Music UK will also support artists represented by Merlin, The Orchard, IODA, Nettwerk Music Group, INgrooves, IRIS Distribution, Big Fish Media, RoyaltyShare, Curb and Merge.
"We're excited to be launching MySpace Music in the UK, a genuinely innovative service that brings artists and fans closer than ever before" said Courtney Holt, MySpace Music President "MySpace has always had an unrivalled reputation for encouraging the enjoyment, discovery and sharing of music, and this launch concentrates and expands on that distinctive character. The way people are consuming music has changed dramatically, and we're aiming to develop an evolving platform that builds a sustainable business for MySpace Music, content licensors and artists, while serving fans in a completely unique way."
