If it wasn't confusing enough that the 'TV divisions' at major record companies release compilations rather, than say, house the TV promotions teams, now you're going to have major record companies that own TV companies, but whose TV companies can't be called the 'TV division' because they'll still be releasing compilations. Told you it was confusing.
But that's why when Universal Music UK decides to launch a TV company they can't call it Universal Music TV. So they've opted for Globe Productions instead - which conjures up pictures of Shakespearean shows to me, but which will actually specialise in making music based and factual programmes. The new venture, part of the slow move by the major labels out of a business concerned exclusively with recorded music, will create TV platforms around the company's artist roster, but also new TV based products. It will have an in house team but also work in partnership with independent production companies.
Confirming the new division, Universal Music Group International boss Lucian Grainge told CMU: "The launch of Globe is a natural progression for Universal Music. The opportunities for our artists in television are immense, and through Globe we are taking a more pro-active approach, closing the gap between artists and broadcasters. I hope we can find new ways of presenting music on television, and the promotional aspect is just the tip of the iceberg; my vision for Globe is to develop ground-breaking television formats which can be successful worldwide."
Globe will be run on a day to day basis by Iain Funnell, who will move from his current role as Director Of TV & DVD at Universal division Polydor over to Globe in September.