Global Eagle Strikes Worldwide IFE Agreement With Sony Music
Broad Rights Package Enables Airlines to Offer Passengers Exciting New Music Experiences
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 29, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Eagle Entertainment Inc., (Nasdaq:ENT) ("GEE") a worldwide provider of aircraft connectivity systems, operations solutions and media content to the travel industry, today announced a global licensing agreement with Sony Music Entertainment to add thousands of songs from Sony Music's iconic catalog to GEE's leading inflight entertainment portfolio.
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The broad-based deal is Sony Music's first licensing pact with an inflight entertainment content service provider and gives Global Eagle access to hit songs from leading recording labels, including Columbia, Epic, RCA, Masterworks, Legacy, Sony Music Nashville for use in its airline inflight entertainment systems around the globe.
Under the agreement, airlines can choose from GEE's custom playlists of Sony Music content tailored to a broad range of travel destinations. GEE will also have the ability to offer opportunities to create new inflight music services via its IFE connectivity platforms, including interactive radio experiences, passenger generated playlist features and on-demand music from Sony Music artists.
The successful launch of the Sony Music-GEE partnership has already seen more than ten regional and global airlines sign on to provide Sony Music choices on their flights served by GEE, with dozens more expected to enhance their inflight content offerings under the agreement.
"We are happy to be partnering with Global Eagle to make our catalog available to its leading global network of airline passengers," said Mark Piibe, Executive Vice President, Global Business Development and Digital Strategy, Sony Music Entertainment. "This agreement gives millions of airline travelers who want more music as part of their passenger experience access to many of the most popular and beloved songs of today and of all time."
"Sony Music is such a part of everyday life for millions of people around the world, and GEE is very pleased to strike an agreement with Sony Music that will offer unprecedented music choices and opportunities to airlines and airline passengers everywhere," noted Dave Davis, CEO of Global Eagle Entertainment. "GEE is constantly exploring new ways to take inflight entertainment to the next level, and we've just done that by adding Sony Music to our IFE content platform. This milestone agreement between Sony Music and GEE represents a key element in our next generation IFE offerings, and opens the door to exciting opportunities that are sure to further elevate the passenger experience."
About Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a current roster that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. It is home to premier record labels representing music from every genre, including Arista Nashville, Bazmark Records, Beach Street Records, Black Butter Records, Bystorm Entertainment, Columbia Nashville, Columbia Records, Day 1, Descendant Records, Epic Records, Essential Records, Essential Worship, Flying Buddha, Fo Yo Soul Recordings, Freesolo Entertainment, Kemosabe Records, Latium Entertainment, Legacy Recordings, Louder Than Life, Masterworks, Masterworks Broadway, OKeh, Polo Grounds, Portrait, RCA Inspiration, RCA Nashville, RCA Records, Relentless Records, Reunion Records, Sony Classical, Sony Music Latin, Star Time International, Syco Music, Vested in Culture and Volcano. Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.
About Global Eagle Entertainment (GEE)
Global Eagle Entertainment Inc. (Nasdaq: ENT) is a worldwide provider of aircraft connectivity systems, operations solutions and media content to the travel industry. Through the industry's most comprehensive product and services platform, Global Eagle Entertainment provides airlines with a wide range of in-flight solutions. These include Wi-Fi, movies, television, music, interactive software, as well as portable IFE solutions, content management services, e-commerce solutions and original content development. Serving more than 200 airlines worldwide, Global Eagle Entertainment delivers exceptional quality and value to its customers to help them achieve their passenger experience objectives. The company's headquarters are located in Los Angeles, California, with offices and teams located in North America, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Oceania and South America. Find out more at: www.geemedia.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
We make forward-looking statements in this press release. These forward-looking statements relate to expectations or forecasts for future events, including without limitation, our earnings, revenues, expenses or other future financial or business performance or strategies, or the impact of legal or regulatory matters on our business, results of operations or financial condition. These statements may be preceded by, followed by or include the words "may," "might," "will," "will likely result," "should," "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "continue," "target" or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date they were made, and should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those risks and uncertainties described in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as amended, and subsequently filed reports on Form 10-Q, as amended. As a result, our actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
CONTACT: Jenelle Benoit
Director, Marketing & Communications
+1 310-321-6612
pr@geemedia.com
Kevin Trosian
Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations
+1 310-740-8624
Investor.relations@geemedia.com
Released September 29, 2015