Merlin, which represents the commercial interests of leading indedendent labels, has signed a comprehensive licensing agreement with Paris-based global streaming service Deezer.
Deezer, a web-based music streaming service, is already available in more than 50 countries. It allows users to listen to music anytime and anywhere on various devices on- or offline thanks to a catalog of 18M tracks.
As a result of the global deal, Deezer’s users will now enjoy access to some of the world’s most important independent artists. Merlin’s members account for repertoire from labels and distributors such as Warp, Yep Roc/Redeye, Epitaph, Phonofile, Tommy Boy, One Little Indian, Kontor New Media, !K7, Merge, and Koch/E1.
Charles Caldas, Merlin’s CEO said: “It is very encouraging to see innovative and ambitious services like Deezer broadening their scope and bringing wider choice to consumers across the many markets in which they operate. We are sure that Deezer’s users will enjoy the vast choice of amazing repertoire delivered to them via this deal”.
Julien Simon, Label Relations Director at Deezer, said: “We are pleased to count Merlin as one of our key global music partners, along with its independent label members across the world. Inclusion of the widest, deepest and best-selling independent repertoire to our service will help us provide the best musical experience to our customers”.
Merlin members’ market share in the US alone is reported at around 10%, equivalent to that of the smaller major labels, whilst in Europe member labels released 72% of the top 60 independent albums released in the past three years and commanded a 11% digital UK market share in 2009.Music Business Worldwide
