AOL, XM to Expand Live Music Content

AOL, XM Satellite Radio and AEG, a worldwide sports and entertainment presenter, have formed a joint entertainment venture with Kevin Wall, who most recently served as the executive producer of Live 8. The venture, to be called Network Live, will produce live programming for both the AOL Music service and XM.

"This is a network of the future, delivering digital programming to consumers who are hungry for live programming," Kevin Wall said. "We're thrilled to enter this market with the unique opportunity to immediately tap into AOL's vast audience, AEG's relationships with the most popular performers in the music industry, and XM's growing subscriber base."

Most of the programming will originate from AEG owned venues, such as the Staples Center in Los Angeles and the Colosseum in Las Vegas.

The group cited Live 8's success as a reason to believe this new partnership will also work. "As Live 8 proved, this is a new era for live entertainment on the web," said Jon Miller, AOL CEO. "This venture taps into the immediacy of the Internet for live shows and live shows on demand."

Miller said that the programming would be provided free of charge - a move in line with AOL's recent push to unlock its doors to the open Web.

The goal of the partnership is to eventually provide a 24-hour platform for live entertainment. While the plan sounds ambitious, the group feels it is possible through the combined resources of the three companies.

AOL also took the time in the statement to note that on-demand and taped versions of Live 8 performances will be available on aolmusic.com through September 5.