A new music video platform allowing artists and fans to create their own TV channel for broadcast on the web has gone online in Ireland and the UK.
The ad-supported Muzu TV, which is currently in its beta launch, allows users to create a personalised music channel that can be shared on social networking sites while ensuring that the artists benefit from the venture.
Content owners can distribute their video online, protected by digital rights management technology, while generating income through the ad-supported model. Viewers, however, can access the service free of charge.
Record label Sony BMG has already signed up to the service, which will allow Irish and UK users to access its video library of artists including The Ting Tings, Foo Fighters, Kylie, Justin Timberlake and Beyonce.
More than 200 other international labels, artists, venues, festivals, music magazines and other content producers including Ministry of Sound, Defected Records, Cherry Red Records, Eagle Rock, SPV, Planet Rock Profiles, Hollywood Music Inc and Ninja Tune have also lent their support to the project.
"We're extremely excited about the launch of Muzu TV which gives fans free access to thousands of hours of music videos, concerts, documentaries, tutorials, and rare classic music TV shows like The Tube streamed in high quality," said Ciaran Bollard, Muzu TV Co-founder and business development director.
Speaking at the launch of the channel, the Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan said it was "extremely encouraging" to see a new company like Muzu TV entering the market, and that it provided evidence of the type of "innovative thinking" that was required to support Ireland's digital economy.