City home to New Music Channel

ARTS/ ENTERTAINMENT — Kamloops is now home to a television channel that will feature music videos of up-and-coming artists and launch to 60 million viewers in the U.S. market this month.

Dedicated to the music of emerging artists, New Music Channel is an integrated media channel that will allow musicians to connect with their fans, distribute their music and make money while they’re at it, says a company spokesperson.

New Music Channel’s international head office is on Oriole Road and the company has been hiring staff, buying equipment and laying the framework for NMC’s Oct. 20 launch.

“We have hired 24 employees over the past three months, with a long-range plan of up to 200 employees,” said Mike O’Reilly, New Music Channel’s VP of operations.

O’Reilly said the decision to locate NMC’s head office in Kamloops is a huge win for the city. “New Music Channel is helping to diversify the Kamloops economy and putting us on the entertainment industry map,” O’Reilly said.

“After our launch into the U.S., we will be looking toward expanding into the Canadian market in 2015 and other countries after that.”

Prior to the TV channel’s launch, New Music Channel’s full website (www.nmc.tv) goes public Oct. 6. Musicians who want to be featured on the channel can apply via the artist registration page on the site.

“We will be bridging the gap between musicians and the American audience, featuring artists that America may not have heard of, but won’t soon forget,” said O’Reilly.

At New Music Channel, musicians can encourage fans to support their careers through crowdfunding. For a $15 pledge, supporters receive a CD or download of their chosen artist’s music, along with an album cover personally signed by the musician.

This comes at no cost to the artist. New Music Channel takes care of sourcing merchandise, producing and distributing the albums, and assists artists’ social media promotions through “New Music Channel University.”

“The channel will solely feature music videos of emerging artists of all genres,” said O’Reilly.

“We will work with musicians that America loves, indicated through their significant social media following.” The expanded presence via TV, mobile, online and social media is designed to grow musicians’ careers and wallets beyond anything previously imagined, he said.

”We aim to revolutionize TV programming and promotions in the music industry.”