The Orchard represents artists, bands and labels across more than 600 digital storefronts and operators in 59 countries.

This deal will bring 100,000 songs to China Telecom users and, indeed, all of China's 388 million internet and mobile internet users.

The iMusic service will launch in September with a strong focus on independent music discovery via digital compilations, editorial content, playlists, and more.  The Orchard will also provide marketing and creative services to China Telecom’s national campus campaign, which targets Chinese students.

“We are proud to have been selected to programme the western music section for one of China’s leading mobile operators,” commented Greg Scholl, president of The Orchard.  

“Again, The Orchard shatters barriers that prevent great independent music from being heard wherever globally there are music fans, and in a way that fairly compensates artists and label. In China, hundreds of millions of music fans don’t discriminate between ‘independent’ and ‘major label’ music.”