Rock in Rio Goes LIVE

Brazil’s Rock in Rio, billed as the world’s largest multi-day music festival, will come to TV and computer screens worldwide as well as satellite radio this year.

Festival organizers have inked a deal with Network LIVE, a joint venture between AOL, XM Satellite Radio and Anschutz Entertainment Group, for licensing of the event for all broadcast distribution platforms.

The agreement provides Network LIVE with exclusive U.S. and international sales and rights for broadcast and other media partners outside Brazil and Portugal. It marks the first time in the fest’s 20-year history that Rock in Rio broadcasting will be available on a global scale.

This year’s festival will take place over two weekends on May 26-27 and June 2-4, and will include live performances on multiple stages by some of the biggest names in music, as well as other cultural events and attractions, producing more than 90 hours of live music entertainment.

Headliners for the last festival, taking place in 2004, included Paul McCartney, Sting, Britney Spears, Metallica, Peter Gabriel, the Foo Fighters, and Alicia Keys.

“Consumers have unequivocally demonstrated that they are eager to experience live global music events in a truly interactive way, and they want to supplement the TV experience with additional consumption methods,” Network LIVE CEO Kevin Wall said.

“With Rock in Rio, a monumental and historic music event, Network LIVE will deliver on our vision of offering fans worldwide great live music experiences – anytime, anywhere, on any device.”