Warner Music, the world’s fourth-largest music group, is putting its archive of music video online and making it available free-to-view. The company will work with digital services provider Premium TV to create online TV sites that will be organised by artist, genre or label and funded by advertising. The Warner roster of artists includes Madonna and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The move is part of the music industry’s drive to generate revenue from new sources to offset the fall in CD sales. Warner said the platforms would show previously unseen footage. The site will be paid for by advertising. For a fee, viewers will be able to download the clips. The deal includes plans to develop subscription-based services and a version to be used on mobile platforms.