New York - CBS (NYSE: CBS) plans to launch a digital record label in January that will seek to place its artists' music in CBS TV and digital programming, as well as distribute through digital retailers like iTunes, Variety reports. The new Los Angeles-based CBS Records unit will utilize resources from CBS Entertainment and CBS Interactive, and be headed by current CBS Paramount Network Television Entertainment Group president Nancy Tellem.

Also consulting on the label's launch and A&R will be Larry Jenkins, a former publicity and marketing executive at Capitol and Columbia.

The label's first three signings are Senor Happy, Will Dailey and P.J. Olsson; songs from the former two acts have already been featured in CBS programs "Jericho" and "Ghost Whisperer," respectively.

CBS Records will seek to add another five acts in its first year.

"The cost of entry is so low that it was a great way of setting up a new model for a record label," Tellem told Daily Variety. "If we can lower music costs while gaining an additional revenue stream, it's a win-win."

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