NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Knitting Factory Entertainment (KFE) has launched its groundbreaking new digital content services initiative, Knitting Factory Digital Services (KFDS), which provides record label partners with live concert video collection and distribution services to power their artist marketing and promotion efforts.
Using new state-of-the-art HD video in both Knitting Factory New York and Los Angeles venues, KFDS offers record labels a cost-effective means to generate live performance content in the highest possible quality, and provides customized delivery to a variety of broadcast, web 2.0, wireless and other media distribution platforms on the behalf of label partners.
"The industry is hungry for a cost-effective way to generate the high- quality video content essential for viral marketing, HD Broadcast, and enhanced CD and DVD projects" said Jared Hoffman, president and CEO of Knitting Factory Entertainment. "No one showcases more of the most exciting emerging and established artists than we do, positioning us to provide sophisticated content capture services, as well as assistance in the packaging and delivery, to label-directed distribution partners. By focusing on a fee- based services offering, we are staying clear of complicated rights issues and ensuring positive alignment with our partners. It's a win-win proposition that benefits labels, distribution platforms, and most importantly our artists and audiences."
Knitting Factory's recently installed state-of-the-art, automated, high- definition A/V allow a single operator to capture a four-camera HD shoot ready for broadcast or post-production. The KFDS system is readily expandable with an additional three to 10 cameras for the most sophisticated live applications. KFDS will also provide basic editing and clip compilation services to deliver upload-ready video and metadata to record label and artist partners, or directly, at the content owner's direction, to partner distribution platforms. Stereo and advanced multi-track audio capture are available, as is basic entry level direct-to-DVD capture for bands on limited budgets.
Knitting Factory Digital Services' first-class partners include AOL Music's Spinner.com, Brightcove, iThentic, Last.FM, Napster, Rhapsody, Revver, Veoh, Virtual Life.TV and YouTube. Many of the launch partners have existing direct label relationships which will be further enhanced with content flow from the KFDS pipeline.
In addition, each of the partner companies has forged strategic relationships to present Knitting Factory branded live concert programming to music fans nationwide, furthering the recognition of Knitting Factory's editorial voice as an arbiter of "what's next" and "what's new." The KFDS initiative comes close on the heels of the launch of "Live from the Knitting Factory," a weekly series available to XM Satellite Radio's eight million subscribers, on the popular indie music channel, XMU.
"With the launch of KFDS, the Knitting Factory is providing a wonderful service for music fans across the globe, with exceptional value both to Napster and to our record label partners." said Matthew Adell, vice president of Music Services for Napster. "Discovering music and video by up and coming bands is among the most sought after experiences we deliver to our members 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the world. Knitting Factory Digital Services provides us with a reliable pipeline of bands hand picked by the Knitting Factory's top-notch team, and an opportunity to showcase the great energy that defines these live shows. This kind of material is what our members want." – Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
