Warner Music Group and Verizon Wireless Launch America's First Music Video Download Service

Warner Music Group and Verizon Wireless Launch America's First Music Video Download Service

Verizon Wireless' Groundbreaking V CAST Service to Provide Music Videos From WMG's World-Class Roster of Artists

BEDMINSTER, N.J., and NEW YORK, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless service provider and Warner Music Group (WMG) announced today the launch of the nation's first mobile music video download service on V CAST from Verizon Wireless -- the first true wireless broadband consumer service in the country. V CAST allows customers to view crystal clear video on demand because it runs on Verizon Wireless' Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) network -- the only widely available wide-area wireless broadband network in the United States. The V CAST coverage area, which mirrors the Verizon Wireless EV-DO network, is available in more than 30 major metropolitan markets and covers more than 75 million people.

As part of Verizon Wireless' launch of its cutting edge V CAST multimedia service, WMG will be the first major music company to make its music video catalog of new stars and legendary artists available for download to consumers in the U.S. on their wireless phones. In addition, the launch of the service marks the first music video download store ever available, wirelessly or via the Internet, in the U.S.

V CAST customers can enjoy a rotating catalog of music videos from some of the hottest WMG artists. The music video catalog will be updated once a week. At launch, V CAST customers will be able to watch some of their favorite music videos, including:

My Chemical Romance - I'm Not Okay (I Promise)
The Used - All That I've Got
Crime Mob - Knuck If You Buck
Sean Paul - Like Glue
Simple Plan - Welcome To My Life
Story Of The Year - Until The Day I Die



WMG artists including Simple Plan and My Chemical Romance will be featured in the extensive multi-media marketing campaign surrounding the launch of V CAST. WMG's V CAST content builds on the mobile entertainment relationship between Verizon Wireless and WMG that also includes master-recording ring tones and Ringback Tones.

"We're thrilled to be the first music company to participate in Verizon Wireless' V CAST multimedia service and the first music company to offer consumers our artists' music videos via digital download in the U.S.," said Michael Nash, senior vice president Internet Strategy and Business Development at Warner Music Group. "We believe services like V CAST, which employ 3G technology will quickly become one of the most important and popular distribution platforms for music and music-related content."

"Warner Music Group's extensive music collection features some of the hottest new artists, as well as classic favorites and we're ecstatic that Verizon Wireless is able to provide that video and audio content to our V CAST customers," said John Stratton, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. "V CAST on Verizon Wireless' EV-DO network enables us to deliver crisp, clear audio and video content for customers to enjoy while they're on the go."

V CAST provides the future of digital entertainment today by delivering Warner Music Group's content using Windows Media Audio and Windows Media Video.

V CAST's array of hot new multimedia programming is located in the Get It Now(R) virtual store -- customers can access WMG music videos and video clips from favorite news, sports and entertainment providers in the getVIDEO shopping aisle and check out new cutting-edge 3D games in the getGAMES aisle. Once in the getVIDEO shopping aisle, customers simply scroll to the Entertainment category and click on Music Videos to download WMG music videos. V CAST also gives customers unlimited access to browse and view applications in the other familiar Get It Now shopping aisles -- such as getTONES and getGOING.

For $15.00 monthly access added to their Verizon Wireless calling plan, customers get unlimited access in the palm of their hands to V CAST's wide array of more than 300 daily updated video clips from news, entertainment, weather and sports from leading content providers. Unlimited basic video clips are included, however, premium content such as music videos and 3D games are available for an additional fee, including WMG music videos for $3.99 per music video. There are no additional airtime charges to download and watch WMG music videos and other V CAST basic content. For a limited time, customers who sign up for V CAST will receive two months of service free. Verizon Wireless V CAST customers also receive unlimited browsing on Verizon Wireless' Mobile Web 2.0(SM) news and information service. In addition, customers can choose from other premium content, available at additional cost that includes 3D games and other premium channels.

V CAST customers can find WMG music videos on the new 3G-capable VX8000 phone. With the LG VX8000, V CAST customers can download WMG content with just a few clicks and experience clarity and sharpness never before seen on mobile phones in the United States. The LG VX8000 is available to Verizon Wireless customers for $199.99 after $70 rebate with a two-year customer agreement. V CAST customers can also find WMG music videos on the Samsung a890, which is $249.99 after a $70 rebate with a two-year customer agreement, and the CDM8940 from UTStarcom Personal Communications (formerly Audiovox Communications Corp.) for $229.99 after a $70 rebate with a two-year customer agreement.

For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to http://www.verizonwireless.com/.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 43.8 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com/. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Warner Music Group

Warner Music Group, with its broad roster of new stars and legendary artists, is the world's largest privately held independent music company. The company is home to a collection of the best-known record labels in the music industry including Atlantic, Elektra, Lava, Maverick, Nonesuch, Reprise, Rhino, Sire, Warner Bros. and Word. Warner Music International, a leading company in national and international repertoire operates through 37 affiliates and numerous licensees in more than 50 countries. Warner Music Group also includes Warner/Chappell Music, one of the world's leading music publishers, with a catalog of more than one million copyrights worldwide. For more information about Warner Music Group, visit our corporate web site at http://www.wmg.com/.


Source: Verizon Wireless

CONTACT: Jeffrey Nelson of Verizon Wireless, +1-908-306-4824,
Jeffrey.Nelson@verizonwireless.com; or Amanda Collins of Warner Music Group,
+1-212-275-2213, Amanda.Collins@wmg.com

Web site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/
http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia
http://www.wmg.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: High-resolution images of WMG music videos on V CAST are available online. Log onto http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia to preview and request images.

-------
Profile: intent