Warner Music has bought a minority stake in a Japanese firm that produces radio programming delivered over mobile phones. The international arm of New York-based Warner Music announced that it is making a capital investment in FrontMedia and supplying it music in exchange for the chance to expand the firm’s mobile broadcasting and video services on the country’s three major mobile carriers. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

In addition to hybrid radio and mobile broadcasts, FrontMedia also developed full-length over-the-air music downloads on NTT DoCoMo and the first interactive mobile broadcast, using free mobile TV site Click.TV. Warner Music, the smallest of the four major music companies, has been working with FrontMedia since last year, and in May they broadcast a live concert by local pop star Ayaka across Japan’s top three mobile networks — NTT DoCoMo, Vodafone and KDDI. Continue>>

Related posts:

1. Warner Music Launches Rhino on i-mode
2. NEC Announces Mobile Music for Telstra
3. WAMO: Mobile Music Downloads Adding Video Content
4. Cell Phones Morph into Music Players
5. NTT DoCoMo Buys Into Tower Records Japan

Some sage advise when entering new turf; Stop, Look and Listen.. it’s also good to secure a local guide. Japan is the cradle of mobile civilization – we have been dedicated to this space since 2001 – trust our archives here offer some useful material.

Domestic activities continue to set the pace, and sharp players are looking at global markets. We have hard-earned industry expertise and trusted network of contacts with access to advanced intell. and potential deal flow. Need a lift.. Ok, buckle-up!