New TV Channel Uses Crowdfunding to Help Musicians Make It Big

It's been used to aid sick children, produce a Veronica Mars movie and create a crazy water balloon-filling gadget.  Now, DirectTV is leaning on crowdfunding as a springboard for independent musicians with the New Music Channel, providing a means for emerging artists to share their work and connect with fans.  NMC launched Monday with The Romantic Era, a pop group from Pennsylvania, as its first partner.  "As an artist, you dream of having your music on national TV," bandleader Connor said in a statement. "We are so humbled by the opportunity to be on such a unique platform and so pumped that millions of people will be able to hear our music and our story – that's really why we make music: to be heard."  Keep up with your favorite celebs in the pages of PEOPLE Magazine by subscribing now. So, how does it work? Viewers can pledge their support for their favorite acts online or by phone.  As for talent, NMC says that to be eligible for a profile on its website, musical acts must have at least 50,000 social media followers, a music video of broadcast quality and eight music tracks from which to cut an album.  Let the music begin.  Posted from : http://www.people.com/article/new-music-channel-crowdfunding