National Geographic launches record label

National Geographic announced Tuesday that it is launching a full-service record label, Nat Geo Music, through its music division of the same name. Leading this venture is Nat Geo general manager Matt Whittington.

Nat Geo Music, and its broadcast component, Nat Geo Music TV, launched in 2007. The record label comes as part of a continued expansion of National Geographic's multimedia outlets, including books, DVDs, websites and an eponymous television station.

Nat Geo Music hopes to put out six to eight albums by the end of the year, ranging from contemporary established artists to up-and-comers around the world.