When BSkyB (NYSE: BSY) joined the throngs launching a music service in October, it was with all four majors but only a handful of indie labels. Now Merlin, the self-appointed “fifth major” that represents about three quarters of indies, says it’s licensed their repertoire to Sky Songs.
Music repped by Merlin labels make up a tenth of songs played on Spotify, that service said in July. They include Domino, Cooking Vinyl and One Little Indian, representing artists like Bjork, Franz Ferdinand and Animal Collective.
Still no word on how well Sky Songs is doing since launch. Interestingly, BSkyB has not limited it to just its own TV and broadband customers. Sky initially trailed Sky Songs as a JV with Universal – no word whether the remaining majors or Merlin’s indies get equity along with Universal.
The model is £6.49-a-month for 10 songs or one £6.49 album or £7.99 for 15 songs or a £7.99 album, each package including unlimited monthly streaming.