Microsoft, Epic Records Ink Xbox Deal

Two companies announce an agreement which will make available for free download music videos and interviews of new artists.

Microsoft and Epic Records late last week announced a deal which will bring some of the latter’s music content to the Xbox Live service for access by Xbox 360 owners. The content will be made available for free monthly over the next year.

Epic’s downloadable content, said the two companies, will showcase 12 up and coming music artists through an artist of the month (AOM) program. Featured music videos and exclusive interviews will be among the offerings. Kicking off the AOM program on Xbox Live is British singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield.

“Our goal has always been to make Xbox Live a cutting-edge entertainment experience,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft, in a statement. “This agreement with Epic Records offers our members exclusive artistic content directly from the source. With Artist of the Month we will be providing exactly what music-loving gamers want: brand-new, exclusive music videos that can be downloaded quickly, easily and free of charge.”