Music Choice

Music Choice (abbreviated as MC) is an American television music service that digitally broadcasts audio-based music channels and video-related content to cable television providers in the United States. Music Choice reaches 65 million households in North America via linear television channels and tv-on-demand services.[3]

Music Choice
Launched1987[1]
Owned byMusic Choice LLC (Comcast, Cox Communications, Charter Communications, Microsoft, Motorola/Arris, Sony Corporation of America)
Picture format480i/1080p (Video on demand), 480p (EDTV)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Broadcast areaNationwide
HeadquartersHorsham, Pennsylvania[2]
Formerly calledDigital Cable Radio
Websitewww.musicchoice.com
Availability
Satellite
DirecTVChannels 801-886
Cable
Available on many cable systemsCheck provider for availability
Verizon FiOSChannels 1799–1899
IPTV
CenturyLink PrismChannels 5101-5150

Music Choice is distributed nationwide by Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, Cox Communications, Verizon Fios, DirecTV and many other. Similar broadcast music services include, Stingray Music, Sirius XM, Xite, and SonicTap.

History

Early development Music Choice (formerly known as Digital Cable Radio) was the first digital audio broadcast service in the world and, under its founder and CEO David Del Beccaro,[4][5][6][7] launched in test markets circa 1987. From its inception as an eight-channel audio service from Motorola's cable group, Music Choice evolved into a multi-platform interactive music network based in New York City that reaches millions of consumers across the country. Music Choice is a partnership owned by a consortium, including Comcast, Charter Communications through its acquisition of Time Warner Cable in May 2016, Cox Communications, EMI Music, Microsoft, Motorola/Arris, and Sony Corporation of America.

Music Choice launched its first 24-hour interactive music video cable channel, SWRV, in February 2010.[8]

Music Choice is the first ad-supported video on demand network to be measured by Nielsen Media Research's video on demand measurement service. Audience demographics are based on Nielsen's national People Meter.[9]

Platforms

Linear Music Channels
Main article: List of Music Choice channels

Music Choice currently offers over 50 linear channels of various music radio formats through digital cable providers. The number of channels available varies by provider.

Music Choice On Demand

Music Choice offers free video on demand content, including hundreds of music videos from various recording artists. Music Choice On Demand also features exclusive original programming and interviews with popular artists.

TV Everywhere App

Beginning in July 2008, Music Choice released iOS and Android apps. Music Choice markets the apps as free, but requires a paid TV subscription with Television Everywhere (TVE) credentials.

Music Choice Enhanced TV

The Music Choice Enhanced TV App (ETV) is the next generation of its popular music service offering a unified experience that allows consumers to access music content within one simple interface. ETV is an IPTV music service specifically designed for the television platform and mirrors the Music Choice authenticated experience available on iOS, Android, and Web-connected devices.

On-screen information

Each Music Choice channel is distributed in freeze frame television, with still slides appearing on-screen as the music plays. These slides display banner advertising (the only advertising on the service, as the audio programming airs commercial-free) along with a looping carousel of “Did You Know?” factoids paired with file photos of the artists in question. In the past, the on-screen trivia factoids have been criticized by some as featuring facts that are overtly depressing or deal with death, as a May 2017 HuffPost story cited a number of factoids recalling various illnesses, homicides, and suicides of various musical artists and their close family, friends and partners over an evening of the network's programming.[10]

SWRV

In February 2010, Music Choice launched SWRV (pronounced 'swerve'), a 24-hour interactive music video cable channel. The network struggled to gain momentum and was eventually rebranded to Music Choice Play on October 15, 2013. The network is now defunct.

Legal Challenges (2016 - Present)

Music Choice v. Stingray

In June 2016, Music Choice filed a lawsuit against Stingray Digital over patent infringement. The lawsuit occurred one month following the announcement that Comcast, part owner of Music Choice, had secured a deal to expand their music offering with thriving competitor, Stingray Digital.[11]

Music Choice drew criticism with the lawsuit; Stingray responded:

“Given the significant inroads that Stingray has made in the U.S. market [Comcast expansion] with its industry-changing technology, Stingray believes that Music Choice’s complaint is without merit and primarily motivated by competitive concerns rather than a desire to protect its intellectual property.”

Music Choice's lawsuit against Stingray disputed a number of U.S. Patents pertaining to the on screen formatting of Stingray Digital's music channels. On August 29, 2016, Stingray countersued Music Choice calling the patent lawsuit a "smear campaign".

Music Modernization Act (MMA) v. Music Choice

In 2018, A2IM CEO Richard James Burgess accused Music Choice of trying to solicit artist and label support to deceive Congress into reducing artists royalties paid by Music Choice.[12] The criticism came as Music Choice publicly opposed the passage of the Music Modernization Act (MMA), which ultimately was signed into law on October 11, 2018.[13]

SoundExchange v. Music Choice

On April 10, 2019, SoundExchange filed a lawsuit against Music Choice following an audit of Music Choice's royalty statements. SoundExchange added––

“Music Choice’s actions reflect a persistent effort to avoid paying royalties for its use of protected sound recordings. Its creative accounting has deprived creators out of the royalties they are due and is inconsistent with the Copyright Royalty Board’s regulations. We hope this action will compel Music Choice to pay the royalties that are due to music creators and to change its practices moving forward.”

The action, which comes after an audit of Music Choice's royalty statements, reflects SoundExchange's commitment to protect the value of music. The commitment includes participation in rate proceedings, audits, and, if necessary, legal action to ensure that music creators are paid fairly for their work.[14]

See also

References
  1. Archived June 18, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Music Choice Horsham PA, 19044 –". Manta.com. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  3. "2019 Music Choice Media Kit" (PDF).
  4. Archived August 18, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  5. Archived February 17, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Dan Baker". On Demand Summit. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  7. Archived December 12, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  8. "SWRV TV – Don't Just Watch". Music Choice. Archived from the original on 2010-02-08. Retrieved 2013-06-24.
  9. "Nielsen To Measure Music Choice On Demand". Multichannel News. Archived from the original on 2013-06-29. Retrieved 2013-06-24.
  10. Tomar, Dave; ContributorAuthor; Blogger; Journalist, Music; Trophies, Recipient of Numerous Sports Participation (2017-10-30). "Cable Television's Music Streaming Service is Obsessed with Death". HuffPost. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  11. "Comcast Xfinity Expands Music Offering with Stingray".
  12. "Music Choice Cheats Artists".
  13. "Music Modernization Act".
  14. "SoundExchange Sues Music Choice for Underpayment".
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