YouTube’s head of content and business operations Robert Kyncl has confirmed the company will begin the process of blocking videos from artists associated with independent labels which haven’t yet signed up to be a part of their forthcoming music streaming service ‘within days’.
Last month Alison Wenham, CEO of the Worldwide Independent Network and chairman of the Association of Independent Music told Music Week that an apparently non-negotiable offer to indie labels from YouTube was ‘indefensible’ as it looks ahead to the launch of its streaming service with the three remaining major labels – Sony, Warner and Universal – all on board.
“This is not a fair way to do business,” she said. “WIN questions any actions by any organization that would seek to injure and punish innocent labels and musicians — and their innocent fans— in order to pursue its ambitions.”
Now, Kyncl has said during an interview with the Financial Times that labels who have not yet agreed to licensing deals for the premium tier of YouTube’s new streaming platform will find their artists removed very soon.
“While we wish that we had 100% success rate, we understand that is not likely an achievable goal and therefore it is our responsibility to our users and the industry to launch the enhanced music experience,” he said Kyncl.
In response, WIN has again claimed independent labels were offered terms much reduced when compared to the lucrative licensing deals signed by the majors.
