Vevo
launched Vevo TV this March as an alternative way to watch and
discover music videos on its platform. Previously, users had to
search for videos. Vevo's "Vintage" program plays songs from the
'80s, '90s and '00s.
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Vevo TV -- a linear music video channel -- appears better suited
for the "lean back" experience of watching television, as opposed
to mobile viewing. Vevo had nearly 62 million unique U.S. visitors
in May but only 4.2 million watched on mobile devices (smartphones
and tablets), according to comScore.
The company already has apps for Android, iOS and Windows mobile
devices, BlackBerry's PlayBook tablet, Xbox Live and Roku.
For Apple, the deal widens the viewing options on Apple TV, its
set-top box that brings video apps and Internet connectivity to
televisions. Apple TV recently added HBO Go and ESPN apps via a software update.
Apple has its own music discovery service,
iTunes Radio, planned for release on Apple devices, including
Apple TV, this fall. Unlike Vevo, iTunes Radio will only play
songs, not music videos. iTunes Radio will be free with ads or
consumers can get an ad-free version by purchasing iTunes Match, an
online music storage service, for $24.99 per year.
Apple CEO
Tim Cook said in May that the company had sold more than 13
million Apple TV sets with half of those sales coming in the past
12 months.