Warners take the plunge in China

Warner Music has announced an alliance with Chinese internet giant Tencent which, says the major label, is the "first-ever master distribution partnership between a major music company and a leading internet provider in Mainland China". Tencent will distribute Warner's catalogue and new releases (including music from Chinese label Gold Typhoon, which Warner acquired earlier this year) to all domestic non-tel-co-based online audio services in China, while the major will also develop promotional partnerships with various platforms operated by the net firm, including the QQ Music streaming service and various video and gaming based channels.