Universal Music TV (often abbreviated as UMTV) is a London-based record label that was formed in 1998, and owned by Universal Music Group, UMTV specialises in producing compilation albums and occasional single releases. It was founded when Seagram acquired PolyGram and merged the company's record labels under the same umbrella, replacing the PolyGram TV label.
Every UMTV release receives extensive TV advertising. Joint venture compilations include Clubland, The Kiss Presents Series, Kerrang!, MTV Unplugged, Floorfillers, Steve Wright Sunday Love Songs, Virgin Radio, Dreamboats & Petticoats, Capital Gold and the hugely successful Motown albums.
UMTV has also had success with catalogue campaigns including The Shadows, Status Quo, Tony Christie, Barry White, Sam Cooke and Engelbert Humperdinck.
A small number of individual artists were signed or transferred to this label in the early 2000s. These included Malachi Cush, Alistair Griffin and Sam and Mark. None of these currently retain their contract. UMTV will be releasing Craig David's new album Signed, Sealed, Delivered in March 2010.
In 2007, UMTV launched the imprint "Universal Music Record Label" (UMRL). In 2010 UMRL saw successful releases from Simple Minds and a-ha which charted at 10 and 5 in the official artist album charts respectively.
UMTV is also associated with sister labels Globe Records, Family Recordings and Manifesto Records and All Around The World with whom they have had several successful albums with Cascada, N-Dubz, Scooter and Darren Styles.
Famous quotes containing the words universal and/or music:
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—C. Wright Mills (1916–62)
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—Owen Meredith (1831–1891)