BMG EXPANDS ALIBABA RELATIONSHIP

BMG is expanding its relationship with China’s biggest e-commerce platform, Alibaba, to go beyond digital music services and venture into film, TV, fan interaction and e-commerce properties. The first fruits of this new cooperation are expected in 2017.

BMG and Alibaba Music announced today that the two companies had extended for three years their existing digital music distribution agreement. The pact gives Alibaba’s digital music platforms Ali Music, Xiami and Ali Planet access to more 600k as well as copyrights to about around 1.9m songs.

Alibaba is touting the new deal as a unique gateway for international stars looking to enter the huge Chinese market.

“We have been very satisfied with the rapid progress we have made in our relationship with Alibaba, surely one of the most innovative and customer-focused businesses in the world,” BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch said. “By deepening our relationship with Alibaba we are not only helping to pioneer the new music business in China, we are delivering new revenue for our artists and songwriters.”

BMG will be working with Alibaba Digital Media & Entertainment Group on the new initiative. Included in the Digital Media & Entertainment Group are Youku Tudou, UC, Alibaba Pictures, Alibaba Music, Alibaba Gaming, Alibaba Literature and Alibaba Digital Entertainment.

Weidong Yang, president of Youku and CEO of Ali Music said, “Working with BMG, the top global music rights management company, will allow Alibaba Digital Media & Entertainment to access significant international content and perspectives.”