First of its kind deal between BMG and 3 – Dido, Britney and Outkast among first to screen on mobile video jukebox
3, the UK’s first video mobile network, has announced it has teamed up with the major record company BMG to launch the first ever mobile video jukebox enabling 3 customers’ to stream the latest music videos direct to their video mobiles.
The new video jukebox service – the first of its kind in the UK – will see 3 customers able to choose from a selection of the latest and greatest music videos to watch on their 3 handsets. They will be able to watch the latest releases on 3’s music video chart through ‘Today on 3’ – the UK’s first live mobile news and entertainment channel that launched in March.
The service launches today, 2 August, with a range of full-length videos from BMG’s unrivalled roster of major artists such as: Christina Aguilera, Dido, Outkast, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Will Young.
3 customers will be able to both watch and hear the latest music video releases four to six weeks in advance of the single launch. With 3’s music video chart, customers will be able to choose from over forty, full length music videos, with up to five new releases going live on the service every week.
Music videos will be priced at £1.50 and will be available to either QuickPlay (stream direct) or to download to the handset and play for as long as the customer chooses. Alternatively 3 customers can also buy an Unlimited Entertainment Add-On for £10 per month, which will allow them to enjoy unlimited amounts of 3’s music and entertainment service over the course of a month.
Gareth Jones, Chief Operating Officer at 3, commented: “For the first time, music fans will be able to see the latest full-length music videos on their mobile before they see them anywhere else. 3 is bringing the colour, glamour and theatre of the latest music video releases direct to people’s mobiles. As the first mobile company to launch this video jukebox service, 3 is again setting the agenda for video mobile services. We believe that this service will fast become the way customers choose to watch and engage with the latest music videos – on demand and whilst on the move.”
Tim Bowen, Chairman, BMG UK & Ireland, added: “The mobile phone has already demonstrated to the industry its versatility as a platform to carry music content. 3’s new technology develops on from ringtones by giving a brand new must-have music application to consumers on the move.”
Commenting on the announcement BPI chairman Peter Jamieson said: “The UK recording industry is committed to making its repertoire available as widely as possible. We welcome 3’s investment in turning mobile phones into video jukeboxes. This service typifies what you might call the Martini approach to music distribution – the industry is committed to making music available any time, any place, anywhere the music fan wants to listen to it.”
The most popular videos will be presented in a music video chart, which will be updated each week.
Video jukebox is the latest addition to 3’s constantly evolving music services which successfully combine a range of original programming from music partners such as MTV and Pete Tong to provide the latest exclusive video news, views, and performances that ensures 3 customers are at the cutting edge of what is hot in music.