February 12, 2009 8:20 PM PST

Report: Sony is first major label to renew YouTube deal

Sony Music Entertainment has become the first of the four largest recording companies to renew a music licensing deal with YouTube, according to a published report.

The deal ensures that Sony artists, who include Bruce Springsteen and Beyonce, will remain on the Web's most viewed video site, according to the blog All Things Digital, which broke the news Thursday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A Google spokesman declined to comment and a Sony representative was not immediately available. The initial deals with the labels enabled YouTube to showcase music videos and also allowed site visitors to include the label's songs in their clips.

Last week, sources told CNET News that Sony was near to finalizing an agreement. On Thursday, they said Universal Music Group is near to striking a final deal with YouTube.

If Universal does sign, that would leave only EMI and Warner Music Group.

The latter label may take some time. Warner Music and YouTube's talks broke down last month and Warner's content has been removed from the video site.

Greg Sandoval covers media and digital entertainment for CNET News. He is a former reporter for The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. E-mail Greg, or follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sandoCNET.

Topics:: Corporate & legal

Tags:: Sony,; YouTube,; digital music,; music videos

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