Microsoft Will Sponsor Music Choice's Unsigned

Brandweek, Jan 31, 2000 by Kipp Cheng

Music Choice, the Horsham, Pa.-based provider of digital-quality streaming audio entertainment, today will announce that Redmond, Wash.-based software and Internet behemoth Microsoft has signed on as the exclusive sponsor for Unsigned, an hour-long audio series featured on Music Choice's showcase 1 channel. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Unsigned showcases music artists and bands that are not yet affiliated with major recording labels and serves as a launch pad for new artists, according to Dave Del Beccaro, president and CEO of Music Choice.

As part of the year-long sponsorship agreement, Microsoft will be cited as Unsigned's premier sponsor during the show's audiocasts. It also will be highlighted on relevant areas of the Music Choice Web site, located at www.musicchoice.com.

Selected artists featured on Unsigned receive profiles on the Music Choice site, along with downloadable tracks, which are available for playback exclusively in the Windows Media Player format.

"Our sponsorship packages provide companies [like Microsoft] with another great tool to extend their brand by delivering their messages with music [programming] to a widespread yet targeted audience," said Del Beccaro.

Last month Music Choice launched its OnStage Concert series, with Santa Monica, Calif.-based online network Entertainment Boulevard signed on as premier sponsor. The OnStage program features a streaming-video broadcast of concerts and a customized package of music programming products capable of reaching 20 million homes. OnStage sponsorship packages also can include customized audio shows, digital downloads and exclusive concert footage, Del Beccaro said.

With more than 50 channels of commercial-free music programming, Music Choice delivers its content via cable, satellite and the Internet. The company generates revenue through sponsorship packages.

Music Choice was created in a partnership between General Instrument Corp., subsidiaries of Sony Corp. of America, Warner Music Group, EMI Music and national cable providers Adelphia, Comcast, MediaOne, Cox and Time Warner Cable.