Google Signs Agreement with SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT to Give Users Access to Expansive Catalog of Music Videos
Ad-supported video models give users unparalleled access to SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT’s content online and creates new monetization opportunities
SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced a strategic business relationship designed to make the music company’s expansive music video collection available for online streaming at no cost to users. Starting this month, users can watch thousands of videos from SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT on Google Video. In the coming months, users will also be able to access content from SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT artists through Google’s partner websites in its AdSense network.
SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, Google and web publishers will now be able to monetize professional video content while respecting copyrights through these video distribution models.
“Google is a defining force in the ongoing development of the Internet, and we’re extremely pleased to be expanding our video relationship with them,” commented Thomas Hesse, President, Global Digital Business, SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. “We see this agreement as an important part of our overall strategy to innovate, find new ways for our artists to connect with their fans, and develop new revenue streams. We look forward to working closely with Google as we roll out this ambitious new effort.”
“Continuing to give users access to premium online content is a key strategic focus for Google,” said David Eun, Google’s vice president of content partnerships. “By combining our network of hundreds of thousands of advertisers, unequaled distribution via our publisher network and high quality content like SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT’s music video library we can meet online user demand, provide advertisers a new way to communicate with their customers and give content holders a way to monetize their content while respecting important copyrights.”
Monetizing through Ad-Supported Content
SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT will be able to monetize its music video content online by leveraging Google’s extensive advertiser network of hundreds of thousands of advertisers. SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT’s expansive music video catalog will be sponsored by Google advertisers making it free to all users. The advertising revenue generated will be shared by SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT and Google.
Unmatched Distribution through AdSense Partner Sites
In the coming months, SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT will also work with Google to distribute select videos from its vast archives to websites around the world via Google’s extensive AdSense publisher network, making it even easier for music fans to access streaming premium content while surfing the Web, all at no cost to the user. Web publishers will be able to easily display videos that match the tone of their sites adding value to their online content and creating a new way to earn revenue from their sites. For example, a fan site devoted to a particular artist can run ad-supported music videos from that artist. Each time a user is interested in the accompanying ad and clicks on the video, the web publisher, SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, and Google accrue revenue.
Facilitating User-Generated Content
SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT and Google will also work together to create a groundbreaking new service that will allow music fans to access user-created music video content featuring certain material from SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT’s library of recorded music, while at the same time respecting the rights of artists and copyright holders.
About SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is a global recorded music joint venture with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars, as well as a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is 50% owned by Bertelsmann A.G. and 50% owned by Sony Corporation of America.
About Google Inc.
Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.
