CONTROL ROOM AND UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP ENTER INTO FIRST MULTIPLATFORM AGREEMENT FOR LIVE CONTENT DISTRIBUTION
Agreement Provides Master Framework for Delivering Control Room Programming from UMG Artists Across its Broad Digital Distribution Platform
Relationship Kicks off with Exclusive Broadcast of Snoop Dogg in Concert
LOS ANGELES, November 15, 2006 - Control Room, the #1 provider of live digital entertainment, and Universal Music Group (UMG), the world\'s leading music company, today announced an agreement whereby UMG will provide Control Room with the opportunity to have access to its extensive roster of chart-topping artists. Under this agreement, Control Room will be able to create and distribute live programming for artists signed under UMG\'s affiliate and partner labels without having to negotiate rights individually for each show.
The company also announced the inaugural performance under the agreement. Control Room, in conjunction with MSN, will present Geffen Records\' artist Snoop Dogg in concert, available on MSN beginning November 20. The performance, captured at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, will stream over MSN\'s global network the day before the release of Snoop\'s much anticipated album, "Tha Blue Carpet Treatment." Through this exclusive broadcast, hip-hop fans will be offered a sneak preview of the new album and will be treated to a host of special guest performances.
"We are delighted to partner with Control Room whose service is strengthening the connection between artists and fans," stated Larry Kenswil, President of Universal Music Group\'s eLabs, the company\'s new media and technologies division. "Universal Music is committed to cultivating online entertainment by offering our consumers even more ways to enjoy the musical experience."
"This master agreement with Universal Music Group changes the game," said Aaron Grosky, executive vice president of music programming and production for Control Room. "We can now capture and deliver programming without having to clear the rights individually. The flexibility enabled by this agreement allows us to continue to create meaningful connections between artists and fans, faster and with greater flexibility."
Live performances by UMG artists will be captured and transmitted across Control Room\'s powerful multi-platform distribution network, including MSN, DIRECTV, QUALCOMM MediaFLO and various other partners internationally. With this agreement in place, all UMG artists who choose to work with Control Room will benefit from the marketing and potential audience reach of more than 500 million viewers aggregated within the Company\'s worldwide partnerships in broadband, TV, radio and wireless.
"Universal Music Group has consistently been a pioneer, advancing the business to find effective and profitable ways to harness the enthusiasm for the digital delivery of music," said Kevin Wall, CEO of Control Room. "This precedent-setting agreement moves the entire industry forward, and Control Room is thrilled to be blazing the trail with UMG."
About Control Room
Control Room (formally Network LIVE) is the #1 provider of live digital entertainment, offering more than 500 million fans worldwide unparalleled access to the artists they want when and how they want it. Since July 2005, Control Room has produced and distributed more than 60 concerts with artists like Beyoncé, Madonna, Green Day and Dave Matthews Band, as well as global events like Live 8 and the Rolling Stones from Copacabana Beach. Its best-in-class, multi-partner network provides unprecedented reach for live offerings through broadband, television, digital movie theatres and mobile phones throughout the U.S. and the world.
About Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is the world\'s largest music company with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 75 countries. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry\'s largest global music publishing operations.
Universal Music Group consists of record labels Decca Music Group, Deutsche Grammophon, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Geffen Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Philips, Polydor Records, Universal Music Latino, Universal Motown Records Group, and Verve Music Group as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalog of music in the industry, which is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, a new media and technologies division, and Universal Music Mobile.
Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi, a global media and communications company.
http://new.umusic.com/News.aspx?NewsId=463
