Canada looks set to welcome a new digital music service this winter, after a ‘groundbreaking’ licensing deal between national public broadcaster CBC and the Audio-Video Licensing Agency (AVLA).
The deal is the first negotiated collective license in Canada for online streaming and podcasting of radio and online digital music programming.
It will allow CBC to offer Canadians more of its radio programs online, on demand, as well as launch a new Canadian digital music service closer to Christmas.
The AVLA negotiated on behalf of its entire membership of almost 1000 major and independent record companies, and individual master rights owners.
“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.
“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,” says Graham Henderson, President of AVLA and Music Canada.
“As Canada’s national public broadcaster, we must provide opportunities for Canadians to enjoy our on-air radio programs anywhere they wish but also to offer original new ways to connect Canadians with music where, when and how they want it” says Chris Boyce, executive director of radio and audio of CBC English Services.
“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 Boyce.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to Canadian culture, this will be accomplished by combining the power of context, curation and community in new and innovative ways,” added Boyce.
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