Mobile Network Recognises Increasing Video Downloads

Mobile phone network, 3, has presented pop star Mantas Natasha Bedingfield with its first ever award for music video downloads to mobile phones, recognising the singer’s credentials as the most watched British artist on its Video Jukebox service.

The award, created by rock’n’roll designer Johnny Rocket, is the first in a series that the network will present to artists to recognise the success of their videos on 3.

3 recently celebrated the success of its Video Jukebox, with 10 million videos being watched by subscribers since its launch in August last year. The service, employing MP4 video technology, has been hugely popular, with 3 claiming that Bedingfield’s award is the equivalent of the gold disc for mobile music video.

The singer has also cemented her relationship with 3 by performing a one-off concert, with video streamed live to subscribers’ handsets from the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London. Commenting on the award she said: “”I am delighted to receive this award as recognition of all the hard work that goes into making my music videos. 3’s video jukebox is a great new way for my fans to watch my videos on the move.”

Graeme Oxby, marketing director at 3 added: “3 is delighted to present Natasha with this award as the most downloaded music video artist over a mobile network. 3 is the only network that provides full-length music video’s and continues to deliver innovative services to entertain our customers on the move.”

3’s video jukebox, as well as drawing in customers, is also a lucrative content extension, with music videos priced at £1.50 and are available to play once via streaming or download to the handset.

The use of mobile video is sure to grow over the next few months, especially with the advent of more 3G networks. For instance, mobile phone users on the O² network will soon be able to access the UK’s first free-to-air advertiser funded video channel, broadcast direct to their handsets, screening ad-funded programming and commercials from a consortium of content providers, advertisers (see Mobiles Get Video Streams In Latest Advertiser Push).

3 Mobile: www.three.co.uk

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