Tencent to distribute Sony Music digital recordings in China

Sony Music Entertainment and Tencent have announced a strategic cooperation arrangement for the online digital distribution of Sony Music’s music recordings in mainland China.Tencent will distribute Sony Music’s repertoire through its QQ Music services. Tencent will also promote Sony Music artists on its platforms and give license to other local online music service providers to sub-distribute Sony Music’s repertoire releases to their mainland Chinese consumers.Edgar Berger, chairman and CEO at Sony Music Entertainment International, described it as a "landmark deal". "We share the vision that China can easily become, within a relatively short period of time, one of the world’s largest music markets," Berger said.Dennis Kooker, president of global digital business and US sales at Sony Music Entertainment, added, “Tencent understands that a healthy music marketplace will lead to more investment for music in China which will grow the impact of China and its locally signed artists on the world stage.”Tencent's gaming, mobile and social platforms such as QQ and distribution capabilities will also be leveraged to promote Sony Music's local and international artists, and their music in mainland China.“We look forward to continually enhancing our music experience and provide simple and easy access for China’s users to the widest portfolio of music and entertainment," Dowson Tong, president of Social Network Group and senior executive VP at Tencent, said.Meanwhile, Sony Music will continue to market its artists across on-the-ground, online and other media platforms to connect with music fans in the mainland.  It will also continue to develop and maintain direct business relationships with local mobile operators and its international business partners.Source: Press release[Image]: Shutterstock