Rumor: Music labels want to create Hulu for music videos

by Brad Linder Dec 23rd 2008

There's been a lot of buzz over the last few days about how all of Warner Music Group's music videos have gone missing from YouTube. Now Alley Insider reports that Warner, BMG, EMI, and Universal are talking about building their own site for music videos.

The idea would be to create a single destination where be able to find music videos from popular artists. There's some reason to think the site could work. After all, Hulu has become one of the top destination for online video by providing full length, ad-supported streaming episodes of TV shows and movies with the cooperation of several major networks and studios.

On the other hand, there's a big difference between full length TV shows and music videos. Like, a 40 minute difference. Part of the reason Hulu has been successful is because it offers users something that wasn't already available: A single location where they could legally watch high quality movies and TV shows to their heart's content. But there are already plenty of places to find music videos, uploaded by the music labels or uploaded illegally by users.

As far as I can tell, the world isn't clamoring for a Hulu for music videos, because there already is one. And it's called YouTube.

That said, a few months ago MTV launched a new music video page which is actually a pretty good one stop shop for many popular music videos. Maybe the music labels should just work with MV>

Tags: bmg, emi, hulu, mtv-music, mtvmusic, music, music-vieos, universal, warner, youtube

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

TVGenius said 1:55PM on 12-23-2008

Here's an idea:

Partner with Hulu.

Why do what we all expect media giants to do and go off and try to create the Next Great Website. We know it won't be. It's been proven time and time again over the last ten years that reactive approaches from media companies don't succeed.

Just throw some cash at Hulu and be done with it. They already have a service used by millions of people, with a clean, easy to use interface, and it's even compatible with PS3s and other media devices.

kingabraham3 said 7:49PM on 12-23-2008

its not a bad idea, really. can you ever find the REAL music video on Youtube? When you search, you get ten different videos claiming to be the "official" one, all with varying quality. A site with real music videos with quality comparable to Hulu (at least 480p) is a sure winner.

kojo87 said 8:37AM on 12-24-2008

i was just playing GTA San Andreas and Express Yourself by NWA was the last song i heard!!

funny coincidence

Niko said 2:54AM on 12-27-2008

@knjo: Word! Let's be penpals! =D

Michael said 8:20AM on 1-22-2009

I think the point here, is that major labels need to catch up to the internet. As TVGenius said above, it's reactive. There has been nothing preemptive by the "majors".

Become partners with someone, or just shut up. It's as simple as that. You don't see smaller, independent labels complaining about the free publicity and continued adoration of fans. I'll tell you the reason: major labels are losing money left and right (and have been for years). They are meekly trying to recover, and this is just their next venture to claim stakes. Does their claim stand up in court? Sure, absolutely. Does it stand the test of time, users, and listeners... nope. Sorry guys. Learn to use the internet, until then, you look like someone's little sibling crying in the school yard.

piano trends said 6:12PM on 1-23-2009

Does it matter since you can find almost anything on YouTube now anyway?

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