Ireland-based music video Web site Muzu has inked a licensing deal with Merlin, the self-annointed “fifth major” record label that represents an enormous number of independent artists, giving Muzu access to video footage from major acts like Radiohead, Franz Ferdinand, The White Stripes, and Arctic Monkeys. The deal is Merlin’s first with a video music site, which so far has been unable to reach acceptable deals with industry heavyweights like YouTube and MySpace Music.
Muzu pays artists and labels through advertising revenue generated when users play videos on the site; however, financial terms of the Merlin deal were not disclosed. Muzu users currently play over 7 million videos a month, and the site has generally won acclaim for its design and and performance.
Muzu already has distribution deals with the four major music labels—EMI, Sony, Warner Music, and Universal Music—to distribute video from their artists in selected markets. Users can watch videos, as well as create and share video playlists. Content is available for free to users, and includes music videos as well as interviews, backstage footage, documentaries, and concert recordings.
