Early development Music Choice was the first digital audio broadcast service in the world and, under its founder and CEO David Del Beccaro, launched in test markets circa 1987. From its inception as an eight-channel audio service from Motorola's cable group, Music Choice evolved into a multi-platform interactive music network based in New York City that reaches millions of consumers across the country. Music Choice is a partnership owned by a consortium, including Comcast, Charter Communications through its acquisition of Time Warner Cable in May 2016, Cox Communications, EMI Music, Microsoft, Motorola/Arris, and Sony Corporation of America. Music Choice launched its first 24-hour interactive music video cable channel, SWRV, in February 2010. Music Choice is the first ad-supported video on demand network to be measured by Nielsen Media Research's video on demand measurement service. Audience demographics are based on Nielsen's national People Meter.
Platforms
Linear Music Channels
Music Choice currently offers over 50 linear channels of various music radio formats through digital cable providers. The number of channels available varies by provider.
Music Choice offers free video on demand content, including hundreds of music videos from various recording artists. Music Choice On Demand also features exclusive original programming and interviews with popular artists.
Beginning in July 2008, Music Choice released iOS and Android apps. Music Choice markets the apps as free, but requires a paid TV subscription with Television Everywhere credentials.
The Music Choice Enhanced TV App is the next generation of its popular music service offering a unified experience that allows consumers to access music content within one simple interface. ETV is an IPTV music service specifically designed for the television platform and mirrors the Music Choice authenticated experience available on iOS, Android, and Web-connected devices.
On-screen information
Each Music Choice channel is distributed in freeze frame television, with still slides appearing on-screen as the music plays. These slides display banner advertising along with a looping carousel of “Did You Know?” factoids paired with file photos of the artists in question. In the past, the on-screen trivia factoids have been criticized by some as featuring facts that are overtly depressing or deal with death, as a May 2017 HuffPost story cited a number of factoids recalling various illnesses, homicides, and suicides of various musical artists and their close family, friends and partners over an evening of the network's programming.
SWRV
In February 2010, Music Choice launched SWRV, a 24-hour interactive music video cable channel. The network struggled to gain momentum and was eventually rebranded to Music Choice Play on October 15, 2013. The network is now defunct.
Legal Challenges (2016 - Present)
Music Choice v. Stingray
In June 2016, Music Choice filed a lawsuit against Stingray Digital over patent infringement. The lawsuit occurred one month following the announcement that Comcast, part owner of Music Choice, had secured a deal to expand their music offering with thriving competitor, Stingray Digital. Music Choice drew criticism with the lawsuit; Stingray responded: “Given the significant inroads that Stingray has made in the U.S. market with its industry-changing technology, Stingray believes that Music Choice’s complaint is without merit and primarily motivated by competitive concerns rather than a desire to protect its intellectual property.” Music Choice's lawsuit against Stingray disputed a number of U.S. Patents pertaining to the on screen formatting of Stingray Digital's music channels. On August 29, 2016, Stingray countersued Music Choice calling the patent lawsuit a "smear campaign". Music Modernization Act v. Music Choice In 2018, A2IM CEO Richard James Burgess accused Music Choice of trying to solicit artist and label support to deceive Congress into reducing artists royalties paid by Music Choice. The criticism came as Music Choice publicly opposed the passage of the Music Modernization Act, which ultimately was signed into law on October 11, 2018.
SoundExchange v. Music Choice
On April 10, 2019, SoundExchange filed a lawsuit against Music Choice following an audit of Music Choice's royalty statements. SoundExchange added–– “Music Choice’s actions reflect a persistent effort to avoid paying royalties for its use of protected sound recordings. Its creative accounting has deprived creators out of the royalties they are due and is inconsistent with the Copyright Royalty Board’s regulations. We hope this action will compel Music Choice to pay the royalties that are due to music creators and to change its practices moving forward.” The action, which comes after an audit of Music Choice's royalty statements, reflects SoundExchange's commitment to protect the value of music. The commitment includes participation in rate proceedings, audits, and, if necessary, legal action to ensure that music creators are paid fairly for their work.
