CBS revives music label for TV, iTunes
updated 03:30 pm EST, Fri December 15, 2006
CBS Records on iTunes
CBS is reviving its long-defunct CBS Records label in an attempt at synergistic profits, according to the Associated Press. The company plans to insert label artists into TV shows, which are also seen on networks such as NBC, CW, and USA Network. The move will allow consumers to purchase music at the iTunes Music Store, which CBS hopes will prove to be the first among several online stores to carry its tracks. Other deals are said to be forthcoming, and the network is relying on partnerships with existing record labels for releases on conventional compact discs. Will Dailey -- who has a song featured in the CBS drama "Jericho" -- is one of the first musicians with the new label.
The original CBS Records played host to artists such as Miles Davis, Billie Holiday and Bruce Springsteen, but was bought by Sony in 1988 and subsequently folded into Sony's own music holdings. Though Sony retained the rights to use the CBS Records name, the terms of the acquisition were such that the name could be returned to CBS should Sony let it become inactive. CBS executive Jack Sussman notes that Sony has not employed the name in over a decade.
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" The company plans to insert label artists into TV shows."
Not only that, but they will not allow the use of other companies' artists in those TV shows. So maybe the director is going after a "New Pornographers" vibe, but he can only use Will Dailey music. How creative of CBS.