CinemaNow relaunches music download site with Warner exclusive
By Jennifer Netherby -- Video Business, 6/12/2007
JUNE 12 | Movie download service CinemaNow relaunched its music video download site WatchMusicHere today with a deal with Warner Music Group.
The relaunched site exclusively features Warner content through July 21 before adding music content from other distributors. More than 1,600 videos from such Warner artists as Red Hot Chili Peppers, James Blunt and Big & Rich will be available for $1.99 each.
The launch comes as consumers increasingly download shorter video content—either in the form of music videos or TV shows. CinemaNow CEO Curt Marvis said the timing was right for a relaunch now that consumers have started using portable media players to a greater degree.
“I think if we have wide and broad offering of music video content, married with hardware in the portable arena, it’ll be the beginning of a large growth curve in coming years,” Marvis said.
He sees the move as an addition to the company’s core business selling movie and TV show downloads.
WatchMusicHere first launched in 2005. The new site offers video downloads in one file that can be played on the computer or portable media player. Other sites require users to download two files, one for a portable player and one for the PC.
Marvis said the low price and high video quality will give consumers a reason to buy videos available for free online, just as they’ve done with TV shows.
Customers that purchase a music video before July 21 qualify for a chance to win an Archos 604 WiFi portable video player.
