Last.fm Launches Groundbreaking Artist Royalty Program for Unsigned Bands

Last.fm today announced the official launch of its groundbreaking Artist Royalty Program. The program gives unsigned and independent artists the opportunity to accrue royalties from their music direct from Last.fm, every time their tracks are listened to on the site.

The revolutionary service marks the first time that musicians and bands not affiliated with a label or royalty collection agency can collect revenue direct from a free streaming music platform. Unsigned and independent artists can sign up for the program when they upload their music to Last.fm, and earn revenue direct from the Web site when their tracks are played free-on-demand, or on Last.fm's streaming radio, or both.

Thanks to Last.fm's groundbreaking ad-supported service, the Artist Royalty Program offers unsigned musicians the same revenue sharing opportunities enjoyed by all the thousands of signed and established artists already using Last.fm. Since providing unsigned artists with the option to join the Artist Royalty Program in January, over 450,000 tracks have been uploaded to Last.fm and offered for free-on-demand streaming.

Martin Stiksel, Last.fm co-founder, said: "This is a big day for independent artists. We're leveling the playing field by offering them the same opportunities as established bands to make money from their music. The young musician making music in a bedroom studio has the same chance as the latest major label signing to use Last.fm to build an audience and get rewarded. The Artist Royalty Program is another revolutionary step towards helping musicians take control of their music -- and, more importantly, make a living from it."

Founded in 2002, Last.fm is a CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS) owned free global music platform. Last.fm offers music fans millions of tracks in every genre for free-on-demand and radio streaming thanks to partnerships with Universal, EMI, Sony BMG, CD Baby, independent aggregators The Orchard and IODA, and more than 150,000 independent artists and labels -- without the need to sign up or download any software. As well as being able to access tracks for free -- a service which has seen Last.fm become the fastest-growing free online music network in the U.S. -- music fans can also share their music preferences by linking their media player to the Last.fm database. As a result, Last.fm can intelligently recommend songs, artists, local concerts and even other members based on their musical tastes. Last.fm also supports unsigned artists by offering them an unprecedented Artist Royalty program through which they can earn revenue directly from Last.fm every time their music is streamed.

SOURCE Last.fm