Yahoo has signed a deal with the Association of Independent Music which will give the internet company access to music from the catalogues of UK based independents for use on their LAUNCHcast internet radio service.
LAUNCHcast enables consumers to set their own music policy, and then receive a back-to-back music stream based around their own music tastes. Members can rate each track played, and the service uses that information to better meet each consumer's music preferences.
The service, originally exclusive to Yahoo's US website, is in the process of being rolled out into Canada, the UK and Ireland, and the AIM deal is important in ensuring the UK service is comprehensive. It will also give the US service access to some key British artists not covered by its existing label agreements in America.
Commenting on the deal AIM boss Alison Wenham said yesterday: "This deal empowers Yahoo! to offer some of the world's most cutting edge and exciting music over their innovative LAUNCHcast service, offering fans on both sides of the Atlantic a brilliant way of finding out more about the music they love."
Shannon Ferguson, Director of LAUNCH in Europe added: "We are pleased to announce this licensing agreement with AIM as it gives our consumers further access to home-grown acts from the independent labels, and fits with our strategy of tailoring our internet radio programming for the British market."