Columbia/Stringer make deal for Smash music

WILL LIGHTNING STRIKE TWICE? Speaking of NBC musical series, as we do two items below, the network and Columbia Records have agreed to a recording rights deal for the soundtrack of the upcoming show Smash, and star Katharine McPhee has signed with the label. The music-intensive drama—which will debut at mid-season and air Mondays at 10-11—also stars Debra Messing and Anjelica Huston. Said Columbia/Epic chief Rob Stringer, who previously made the deal for the music from Fox’s Glee: "We are thrilled and proud to be chosen by NBC to work on their amazing new show. Music is at the heart of Smash, and with our wonderfully creative broadcast partners, we will develop innovative strategies to present this music to a huge audience." Added NBC Entertainment Chairman Roger Greenblatt: “Our Columbia Records partners will guide the soundtrack of Smash into a big component of the show’s success. The music will be a driving force of what promises to make a tremendous impact for NBC in January, and we couldn’t have asked for better expertise and strategy than this company will provide.” The deal secures worldwide digital and physical rights to the first season of the series, with successive options to subsequent seasons. (6/10a)