Music Choice
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | Horsham, Pennsylvania[1] |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 480i/1080p (Video on demand), 480p (EDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Music Choice LLC (AT&T, Charter Communications, Commscope, Comcast, Cox Communications, Microsoft, Sony Corporation of America) |
| History | |
| Launched | 1988 |
| Former names | Digital Cable Radio |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
| Availability | |
| Cable | |
| Available on many cable systems | Check provider for availability |
| Verizon FiOS | Channels 1799–1899 |
| Satellite | |
| DirecTV | Channels 801-886 |
| IPTV | |
| CenturyLink Prism | Channels 5101-5150 |
Music Choice (abbreviated as MC) is a multi-product music service that provides audio and video music programming to millions of consumers nationwide through their cable, satellite and other multi-channel video programming distributors in the United States via televisions, online and mobile devices.
Music Choice is distributed nationwide by Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, Cox Communications, Verizon Fios, DirecTV and many other mid-size and smaller MVPDs.
History[edit]
Music Choice (formerly known as Digital Cable Radio) was the first digital audio broadcast service in the world and, under its founder and CEO David Del Beccaro, launched in test markets circa July 1988. From its inception as an eight-channel audio service from General Instrument, Music Choice evolved into a multi-product music network providing both audio and video services including over a hundred uninterrupted music channels, original produced content, and thousands of music videos. Music Choice launched new On-Demand subscription services – in 2019 Music Choice Karaoke and Music Choice Relax and in 2020 Music Choice PLUS.
Music Choice is a partnership owned by subsidiaries of AT&T, Charter Communications, CommScope, Comcast, Cox Communications, Microsoft, and Sony Corporation of America.
Products[edit]
Music channels[edit]
Music Choice currently offers close to 100* music channels of various music genres/styles through MVPDs. All channels are commercial free. The number of channels available varies by provider.
On-screen offerings[edit]
Each Music Choice channel displays artist pictures, song information, facts and promotional information appearing on-screen as the music plays.
Thousands of “Did You Know?” factoids rotate on all of Music Choice’s music channels, offering fun facts about artists, their lives and their music. On the more ambient channels, such as Soundscapes, consumers will see inspirational quotes. Other channels have rotations geared to their specific audiences. For example, on the Contemporary Christian channel, there are rotations of kindness quotes, bible verses and quotes from Christian authors; while on the Kids Only channel, there are artist facts along with fun trivia facts about animals, the world, different types of food and more.
Music Choice On Demand[edit]
Music Choice offers free video on demand content, including hundreds of music videos from various recording artists. Music Choice On Demand features exclusive original programming and interviews [5] with popular artists. Music Choice’s subscription-based products are also available on Music Choice On Demand.
TV Everywhere app[edit]
In July of 2008, Music Choice released iOS and Android apps that are free with a paid TV subscription. Music channels, video channels and Music Choice Originals are accessible through the app for on-the-go listening on a mobile device. On the Music Choice App, consumers can create personalized playlists to cater to music taste or listen to curated music and video playlists. The app also gives the option to “Favorite” artists, videos, channel and playlists. The Music Choice App gives consumers the option to create a kids-safe profile that has parental controls. With a kids profile, children can listen to music that has been carefully curated and rated to provide safe content for kids.
Music Choice Enhanced TV[edit]
The Music Choice Enhanced TV App (ETV) allows Music Choice consumers to access all of Music Choice’s music and video content within one simple interface. Along with Music Choice’s 50+ music channels, in ETV, consumers have access to more genre-specific channels such as Bluegrass, Rap 2K and ‘80s Rock. ETV is an IPTV music service specifically designed for the television platform. The ETV experience is mirrored with authenticated experiences available on iOS, Android, and Web-connected devices.
Comcast and Cox Contour customers have the capability to speak a voice command directly into the voice remote, which will then navigate to the given content (music channel, artist content, playlist) on Enhanced TV. Voice commands appear on the music channels.
Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD)[edit]
Music Choice offers three Subscription Video On Demand services through MVPDs – Music Choice Karaoke, Music Choice Relax and Music Choice Plus. All subscription billing is bundled with the customer’s cable bill.
Music Choice Karaoke[edit]
Music Choice Karaoke[2] gives subscribers access to a catalogue of thousands of songs that can be sung right from the comfort of any room that has cable. The service also provides a full Disney catalogue along with Lightning Round Karaoke, which is a duet battle. Featured playlists are also available each month.
Music Choice Relax[edit]
Music Choice Relax[3] offers ambient HD videos and curated playlists that range from nature landscapes and underwater scenes, to step-by-step yoga and ASMR.
Music Choice Plus[edit]
Music Choice Plus is a premium music subscription service offered by Music Choice. Plus allows subscribers to select and play any video or song on their TVs as well as on their mobile and connected devices. Along with programmed audio playlists, Plus subscribers can create music and video playlists as well as staying up-to-date with new music releases. Subscribers are able to “Favorite” songs and videos and save for later listening. Plus subscribers can create up to six profiles per subscription.
Legal challenges[edit]
Music Choice v. Stingray[edit]
In June 2016, Music Choice filed a lawsuit against Stingray Digital Group, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas for patent infringement. In February 2020, parties reached a settlement agreement related to this suit in which Stingray agreed to pay Music Choice US$13,250,000. The settlement agreement settled all patent and other litigation in the United States between the two companies.
See also[edit]
- Apple Music
- Amazon Music
- Dash Radio
- DMX (music service)
- Muzak Holdings
- Sirius XM Radio
- Pandora Radio
- Spotify
- Tidal (service)
- Xite
References[edit]
- ^ "Music Choice Horsham PA, 19044 –". Manta.com. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
- ^ Music Choice Karaoke
- ^ Music Choice Relax