Microsoft’s Zune to Sport EMI Music Videos

Music label EMI Group has inked a deal with Microsoft to pre-load music videos from selected EMI artists on the company's forthcoming Zune media device.

EMI Group PLC, one of the world’s largest music labels and home to such venerable acts as the Rolling Stones, confirmed yesterday that it has signed a deal with Microsoft to provide music videos which will be pre-loaded on Microsoft’s forthcoming Zune media player(s), expected to launch within the next few months.

Under the deal, videos from EMI artists 30 Second to Mars (fronted by actor Jared Leto) and British electro-pop outfit Hot Chip would be pre-loaded on the players a featured content when they launch to North American and international markets.

News of the agreements also dispels some speculation about the Zune’s capabilities at launch: clearly, the devices will have to support video playback. The nature of the devices wireless capabilities, however, are still largely undisclosed.

Statments to Reuters by EMI executive vice president Jeff Kempler imply the deal is not exclusive, and EMI anticipates its artists’ videos will be showcases alongside artists from other record labels