December 07, 2007

By By Lars Brandle, London

EMI Music U.K. will make DRM-free audio and video content available through British Internet Broadcasting Co.'s (BiBC) downloadable virtual store, the music major said today.

Works from EMI artists including Coldplay, The Spice Girls, Queen, Kylie, Pink Floyd and KT Tunstall will be made available to customers of BoxOffice365, BiBC's on-demand audio and video download service.

"EMI is always looking for innovative and exciting ways of monetising its content," said Graeme Rogan, head of digital sales, EMI Music U.K., in a statement.

He adds, "Our catalog and new release titles can only benefit from being available via BiBC's digital offering, be it through the BiBC site or third party sites."

BiBC's online store also functions as a white label service, enabling firms to use its technology and content to operate their own, branded digital services.

"Brand owners can now have their own white-labelled digital video store with all of the EMI content up-and-running within days, explained Paul Hague, managing director of BiBC, adding, "there is absolutely nothing stopping them".

BoxOffice365 had a soft launch in August 2005 with music video content deals in place with Universal Music U.K., Sanctuary Group and V2.

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