New music channel on Freeview

UPDATED/CORRECTED: C4 is launching a new music channel via Freeview, called C4-2.

" C42 will be launched on May 1st, to celebrate the start of NZ Music Month and will offer... up to 30 per cent local content. C42 will feature back to back alternative music videos, without hosts.

An arrangement between MediaWorks and PPNZ will ensure videos and artists represented by IMNZ (the New Zealand trade body for independent record labels and distributors) represent a larger portion of the playlist."
 
I have heard that 60% of the videos screened will come from IMNZ members. The remaining 40% will be divided amongst the major record label owners and other (non-IMNZ) PPNZ members.

CORRECTED: Any content owner that has their music video played on C42 will not receive royalty payments from PPNZ (prev version said :Any IMNZ/PPNZ content owner that has their music video played on C42 will not receive royalty payments from PPNZ).

In exchange for no royalties, IMNZ members get: first six months 4 x 30 second ad spots to air each hour 4pm to 12 = 224 spots a week. After six months this will increase to 8 x 30 second (4 mins) per hour. And IMNZ are charging to 'administer' the ads.

ADDED: Other PPNZ members (those not majors, nor IMNZ members) don't get the advertising.
 
Read the press release here.

NZ Herald's media columnist John Drinnan speculated on March 26 that Mediaworks was expected to announce a new music channel on Freeview, saying that "MediaWorks is obliged to deliver a second digital channel, but there has been speculation on how it can afford it." A music channel with no hosts is a low cost option.

ADDED: From Drinnan's column dated April 16, on the new channel... "The deal gives MediaWorks time to get advertisers on board. The no-charge deal on some music means the videos can act as free promotions. C4-2 is aiming at 30 per cent local content. Music lawyer Hocquard said he had concerns about the terms of the deal which implies airplay for music had a promotional value. Hocquard did not specify his concerns but radio stations made a similar claim when trying to undermine PPNZ price rises on licences for radio play."