broadband news

Broadband surfers’ access to Madonna frozen

A disagreement between YouTube and the Warner Music Group has resulted in world-class recording artists, including Madonna, James Blunt and Led Zeppelin, being removed from the
broadband video-sharing site YouTube.

Warner Music is pulling thousands of broadband music videos, which generate considerable broadband traffic to YouTube, after talks to renegotiate a content-sharing deal collapsed.

Speaking to the Guardian, Warner Music said: "We simply cannot accept terms that fail to appropriately and fairly compensate recording artists, songwriters, labels and publishers for the value they provide.”

Warner Music also owns rights to numerous other popular songs and groups which are regularly watched over broadband, spanning various genres, including the festive track Winter Wonderland and music by the heavy metal group Metallica.

However, certain tracks, such as James Blunt’s You’re Beautiful (which currently has over seven million views over YouTube broadband), are still available to watch this morning as Warner appears to be removing its broadband content gradually.

Warner Music was the first company to sign a deal with broadband internet site YouTube, granting YouTube permission to post videos and interviews from artists in 1996. Warner Music receives royalties and revenues in return.

The current disagreement is likely to leave thousands of broadband surfers disgruntled at the sudden removal of their favourite tracks.

Warner Music is reported by the Guardian as “working actively” to find a broadband resolution with YouTube.

23/12/2008
Author: CompareBroadbandUK staff writer

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