Universal Music signs BT video content deal

LONDON (Reuters) - Music videos from the Scissor Sisters, Snow Patrol, U2 and Keane are among the line-up being included on British telecoms company BT Group Plc's new broadband television service via a deal with Universal Music.

The deal with Universal, the world's biggest music company, announced on Wednesday follows a string of content deals BT has signed with music, film and television companies. Universal is owned by French media giant Vivendi.

"The move is another step for music companies in monetising their content across a variety of different platforms to offset weakness in physical CD sales, and we see these types of deals as becoming increasingly important for music companies," said UBS analyst Ian Whittaker in a research note.

Pricing for Universal's content on BT Vision will range from 29 pence (56 cents) for music videos, through to 1.79 pounds for 10-clip video playlists and 2.99 pounds for premium concerts.

BT, a former UK telecoms monopoly, recently joined a growing number of European groups offering quadruple-play services with the launch of its Vision service in December.