WARNER MUSIC, VERIZON LAUNCH MOBILE VIDEO DOWNLOAD SERVICE

Warner Music Group and Verizon Wireless today announced that they have launched what they say is the first wireless music video download service in the United States. The new music video-on-demand component, part of Verizon’s V CAST multimedia service, is available to subscribers to Verizon’s Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) network, touted to be the country’s only widely available wide-area wireless broadband network, whatever that means. Oh, here’s what it means: It’s available in 30 major markets and covers over 75 million people.

V CAST, which also includes video clips of news and other entertainment, as well as video games, costs $15 a month for access to V CAST’s “Get It Now” virtual store. WMG music video downloads cost an additional $3.99 each. That may seem steep, but some day we'll long for the excitement of these pioneering days.

Artists currently participating in the V CAST initiative include My Chemical Romance (“I’m Not Okay”), The Used (“All That I’ve Got”), Crime Mob (“Knuck If You Buck”), Sean Paul (“Like Glue”), Simple Plan (“Welcome To My Life”) and Story Of The Year (“Until The Day I Die”). WMG's V CAST video catalog will rotate and be updated weekly.

In addition to being among the first artists taking part, Simple Plan and My Chemical Romance will be taking part in the multimedia marketing campaign planned to support the Verizon/WMG mobile music video launch.

"We're thrilled to be the first music company to participate in Verizon Wireless' V CAST multimedia service and the first music company to offer consumers our artists' music videos via digital download in the U.S.," said WMG Sr. VP Internet Strategy and Business Development Michael Nash. "We believe services like V CAST, which employ 3G technology will quickly become one of the most important and popular distribution platforms for music and music-related content."

"Warner Music Group's extensive music collection features some of the hottest new artists, as well as classic favorites and we're ecstatic that Verizon Wireless is able to provide that video and audio content to our VCAST customers," said Verizon Wireless VP/Chief Marketing Officer John Stratton. "V CAST on Verizon Wireless' EV-DO network enables us to deliver crisp, clear audio and video content for customers to enjoy while they're on the go."

WMG's involvement with V CAST is an outgrowth of the company’s existing business relationship with Verizon Wireless, which includes the licensing of master-recording ring tones and “ringback” tones (the ones you hear when you’re making the call, not receiving it). The announcement comes as Universal Music Group has reportedly begun to make moves to monetize its video assets (see Rumor Mill).