Chicago-based digital music subscription-service developer FullAudio has inked a licensing deal with Universal Music Group (UMG), and Clear Channel Communications has signed on as the service's first distribution affiliate. The deals will be announced today.
The two-year,
non-exclusive deal with UMG allows FullAudio to rent access to downloads from "a broad selection" of the major's catalog. Tracks will not be transferable from subscribers' computers. The deal is UMG's first with a subscription service that will compete with Pressplay. The major has licensed content to Streamwaves.com for use as streams (Bulletin, Aug. 7).
Meanwhile, FullAudio will be the exclusive "on-demand music subscription provider" for Clear Channel radio-station Web sites in Chicago, Houston, L.A., Phoenix, and Salt Lake City. FullAudio will provide co-branded services to some 30 stations in those cities.
FullAudio has content licenses from UMG and EMI and publishing licenses with EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing, and BMG Music Publishing.