TORONTO – After reaching a music licensing deal with the Audio-Video Licensing Agency (AVLA), CBC said Tuesday that it will launch a new Canadian digital music service this winter. The agreement will also allow the national broadcaster to offer more of its radio programs on-line and on demand.
AVLA represents almost 1000 major and independent record companies and other copyright owners, including many independent artists. The deal marks the first negotiated collective license in Canada for on-line streaming and podcasting of radio and on-line digital music programming.
“Through this new relationship with AVLA and the Canadian music labels, CBC will be able to offer its programs on demand complete with music while at the same time building a new digital music service, that will be unlike any other available today in Canada”, said Chris Boyce, executive director of radio and audio of CBC English Services, in the announcement. “As part of our on-going commitment to Canadian culture, this will be accomplished by combining the power of context, curation and community in new and innovative ways.”
“We are thrilled to have been able to work together with CBC to license a service that will be extremely welcome in Canada, where there are only a handful of digital options for consumers”, added AVLA and Music Canada president Graham Henderson. “This groundbreaking agreement means that music fans will have more access to the best in Canadian music, whether by emerging or established artists, while creators will enjoy full recognition for the value of their work.”
CBC said that more details about its new digital music service will be announced in the coming weeks.
