Sony BMG inks free-streaming deal with Peter Gabriel's We7

by Staff, Brand Republic 10-Mar-08, 12:10

LONDON - Bruce Springsteen, Leona Lewis and other Sony BMG artists could soon have their music made available free online through the We7 website, founded by former Genesis vocalist Peter Gabriel.

We7 streams music on demand and is funded by advertising. Sony BMG is the first major record label to sign up, with much of the music on the site presently coming from independent labels and unsigned artists.

Ged Doherty, chairman of Sony BMG Music Entertainment, said: "We are in the business of embracing a multitude of new ways our music can reach audiences. Our deal with We7 is an important step forward in offering fans greater flexibility in how they consume music."

Sony BMG will start making music from its catalogue available from the end of April, firstly to existing We7 subscribers and then gradually extend it to new ones. People will be able to stream tracks for free after listening to a short ad before each song.

Gabriel said: "We7 is a model that will supply free music to the consumer and still provide a stream of revenue to musicians and content owners."