Universal rejigs web plans with Getmusic buyout deal.

Universal has confirmed its buyout of marketing and commerce portal Getmusic from partner BMG with the price tag set at $1, according to sources close to the deal.

The agreement sets in motion a complete overhaul of the company's web strategy with both its London-based artist portal Voxstar -- which has been on hold for nearly six months -- and US unsigned web and TV property Farmclub.com now being incorporated into Getmusic.

Universal's recent acquisition Emusic.com -- which includes the Rolling Stone and Downbeatjazz brands -- is also set to be folded into Getmusic, while it is understood that its download and subscription operations will form part of the Universal/ Sony project Duet once the deal is finalised.

However, decisions on the management structure of the UK and European divisions of Getmusic International have yet to be decided, although some US staff have already been laid off. Getmusic CEO Andrew Nibley says a steering group comprising himself and key Vivendi and UMI staff will hammer out the Getmusic staff structure during the next few weeks. Voxstar employs roughly 50 staff, currently based in UMI's London headquarters, while Getmusic International has a team of 12 -- recently installed in former Yahoo offices in Kensington -- headed by former AOL ...