Warner Music And Hulu Strike Content Deal

Warner Music Group has signed a content licensing deal with Hulu.com. Featuring a strong roster of artist talent from labels like Atlantic Records and Rhino Records, Warner Music will provide music videos, live concerts, interviews and rare behind-the-scenes footage for artist pages featured on the online video site.

Warner Bros. recording artists Muse are the first artists featured under the agreement.

Hulu is also planning to launch artist pages for singer/songwriter Jason Mraz and Paramore in the coming weeks. More artist channels will be announced in early 2010.

In making the announcement, Michael Nash, Executive Vice President, Digital Strategy and Business Development, WMG, said:

“We’re pleased to be working with Hulu as we expand our premium ad-supported video strategy to provide our artists with a customized and flexible approach to marketing and monetizing their music, by leveraging the most powerful partnerships and platforms in the industry.”

As the online music video space heats up, Hulu continues to explore the long term viability of adding music content to the free online video service. Between MySpace, YouTube and the just-launched Vevo, Hulu appears ready to forge ahead with more content deals.

The much-hyped music video site Vevo launched last month, so it seems Hulu wants to make sure they keep their eye on the music video side of things. It should be noted that Warner Music is the only one of the Big 4 music companies to not sign a content deal with Vevo.

On working with Hulu, Nash went on to say:

“Hulu has been a leader and innovator in this space, and we look forward to working with them on creating compelling, content-rich artist channels that will provide a dynamic experience to their fans, while introducing our artists to new audiences online.”

Warner Music is now the second major label to sign a content deal with Hulu; In November, EMI debuted a Norah Jones channel on Hulu.