Muse urge label to back free streaming services

One of the biggest names in the British music industry has urged Warner Music to reconsider its position on free music streaming services.

The record label recently said it would stop licensing its content to ad-funded streaming outlets, as it believes they have harmed the music business.

This stance has been disputed by one of Warner Music's biggest artists Muse, which said the corporations have a different opinion than the musicians.

"As far as bands are concerned, you just want people to hear your music whichever way they can," said bass player Chris Wolstenholme.

Speaking to BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat, he compared Warner's decision to it taking their songs off the radio.

"You're instantly taking your song away from a group of potential listeners," Wolstenholme said.

However, he acknowledged that record labels have lost a lot of money on record sales because of the internet.

According to the BPI, 128.9 million albums were sold in the UK last year - 3.5 per cent down on the amount recorded in 2008.

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