Europe
: 3, the UK's first video mobile network, is enhancing its video jukebox
service with a repertoire from Independent artists including Mercury
award winners Franz Ferdinand, Stereophonics, the UK's No1 single
Eric Prydz and The Libertines.
The video
jukebox service offers 3 customers a selection of the latest full-length
music videos to watch on their mobiles, four to six weeks in advance
of the single launch. The service launched in August with BMG's roster
of major artists such as; Outkast, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake,
and Britney Spears, has proved popular with 3's customers, who are
downloading tens of thousands of music videos every month.
VidZone, which
runs Europe's largest online video subscription service, will supply
3 with music videos from the Independent record sector. Fifteen Independent
labels are already signed up to offer videos to 3 customers including
Beggars Group and XL Recordings, V2, Ministry of Sound, Sanctuary
Group and Domino Records.
From this week,
the independent video selection will include Franz Ferdinand's Michael,
The Libertines' Can't stand me now, Ultrabeat's Better than Life and
the UK's No 1 single Call on Me by Eric Prydz.
Graeme Oxby, Marketing
Director at 3, commented: "For most of our customers, the mobile
phone is the first place that music lovers see the latest music videos
- this deal with VidZone gives them an even wider choice."
Adrian Workman,
CEO of VidZone, said "Including Independent music videos on 3's
video jukebox is a critical step in broadening the distribution of
independent music in the UK. The artists from Independent labels that
have supported this initiative will benefit enormously from their
videos reaching 3's customer base of over 1.2 million."
Videos will be
priced at £1.50 and will be available to stream (i.e. play once)
or download to the handset.
Alternatively,
music-mad 3 customers will be able to purchase a 'Video value Add-on'
which for £10 per month will allow them to enjoy as much of
3's unparalleled music and entertainment content as they can squeeze
in over the course of a month.
Video
jukebox is the latest addition to 3's constantly evolving music services
which include a range of original programming from music partners
such as MTV, Pete Tong and Zane Lowe to provide the latest exclusive
video news, views, and performances to ensure 3 customers see as well
as hear what hot in music.