October 9, 2006

Sony BMG video available for streaming without any cost, signs agreement with Google !!

Just received an email from Google Press..

Ad-supported video models give users unparalleled access to SONY BMG
MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT's content online and creates new monetization
opportunities

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., and NEW YORK, NY - Oct. 9, 2006 - 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.

 

Another step ahead !!