SpiralFrog, the firm that hopes to expand the online music market beyond payment-based iTunes and others with its ad-supported music service, signed a pair licensing deals this week in anticipation of a launch early this year.

New York-based Spiralfrog, which last year announced deals with major music companies EMI, Universal Music Group and BMI, said Wednesday it added UK independent label Click Record Productions Ltd. and aggregator-distributor Kudos Records Ltd. to its lineup.

Chairman Joe Mohan lauded Click's "original and pioneering spirit' and said Kudos' variety of artists and genres would expand the SpiralFrog library's "depth and relevance.' Kudos brings 3,200 tracks from over 130 artists and 70 labels to the download service.

SpiralFrog, which aims to attract an audience with MTV demographics, last month appointed the former CEO of The WB broadcast network, Jordan Levin to its board. The network developed TV hits popular among youth such as "Dawson's Creek' and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer.'

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