US Radio Giant Launches National Mobile Content Program

Clear Channel Radio today announced the launch of a national roll out of mobile radio programming that further extends its local radio station brands, and expands the platforms to which it is distributing content.

The initiative kicks off with New York's number one hit music station, WHTZ-FM Z100 streaming live radio and new features directly to cell phones across the country serviced by Cingular Wireless. Clear Channel Radio expects to launch similar programs on up to 100 more of its radio stations in the next 12 months.

Subscribers of Z100 Mobile, the premiere service of Clear Channel Radio's mobile offering, can interact directly from their phones to listen to streamed and on-demand content including podcasts of celebrity interviews and popular segments. They can also find the title and artist of the last 10 songs played on-air, make a song request directly to Z100 and receive a text message alert 15 minutes before the song is played, get free station wallpapers for their phone, rate listener-submitted photos and obtain real-time reports on local traffic.

DKNY Jeans is the first sponsor of Z100 Mobile, providing daily fashion tips integrated within the mobile content package. Similar exclusive sponsorship opportunities will be available across local markets for terms as short as one month.

"With Z100 reaching 2.5 million listeners each week, and 50 million consumers subscribing to Cingular Wireless, we are creating one of the largest audiences for any radio or mobile phone application in the U.S., thereby monumentally expanding Clear Channel Radio's mobile content portfolio," said Jeff Littlejohn, Executive Vice President of Distribution Development for Clear Channel Radio. "By connecting listeners to their favorite radio stations via cell phone, and adding interactive features, Clear Channel Radio has found an additional platform to deliver on-demand entertainment to, and drive listening among its active, on-the-go audiences across the country."

The content of Clear Channel Radio's mobile program to be offered on up to 100 additional stations over the next year will be similar to the features described above for the premiere service, Z100 Mobile. More information on Z100 Mobile can be found at http://mobile.z100.com. A minimal monthly subscription is required for Clear Channel Radio's mobile content to cell phones.

About Clear Channel Radio

Clear Channel Radio is a leading radio company focused on serving local communities across the U.S. with more than 110 million listeners choosing Clear Channel Radio programming each week. The company's content can be heard on AM/FM stations, HD digital radio channels, on the Internet, via iPods, through Motorola's iRadio cell-phone service, and via mobile-navigation devices from Cobra, Garmin, Kenwood and others. The company's operations include radio broadcasting, syndication and independent media representation. Clear Channel Radio is a division of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. a leading global media and entertainment company.

(c) News Release by BUSINESS WIRE

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Article from SeattlePI.com

The day when your cell phone doubles as a radio is getting closer.

Clear Channel Radio and Cingular Wireless said this week they are launching a service that will provide live streaming of broadcasts, as well as on-demand delivery of podcasts.

The service will start with a Clear Channel station in New York, but the broadcaster said it expects to offer the service "on up to 100 more of its radio stations in the next 12 months." The company wouldn't say what stations are on the list, but since it operates a cluster of music stations (including KUBE-FM, KJR-FM and KFNK-FM) in the Seattle-Tacoma market, the nation's 14th largest, at least one would be a good bet to get the service.

The service costs $2.99 a month for downloads, with an additional fee of 99 cents a month for streaming. What customers get are podcasts of interviews and features, title and artist information for the last 10 songs played and local traffic reports. Sponsor announcements also are included.

Facing competition from other entertainment and delivery channels (satellite, portable music devices, Internet radio), traditional broadcasters have been looking at ways to extend their reach. The Clear Channel-Cingular deal is merely the latest of an attempt to marry radio and cell phones and other portable communications devices. In some instances, the cell phone as a method for transmitting text messages is eclipsing voice phone calls as the primary link between stations and listeners.

Earlier this year, CBS Radio and Vibes Media announced a partnership to provide text-messaging services such as contests and song requests via cell phones.

KBKS-FM (106.1) already is offering the Vibes service, says Dave McDonald, senior vice president and market manager for CBS Radio's Seattle stations. "Particularly with younger demographics, texting is becoming a ubiquitous method of communication," McDonald says. "It's really important the station reflect the lifestyles of its listeners."

KBKS got a powerful demonstration of texting's popularity at a station-sponsored concert at KeyArena. Morning hosts Jackie & Bender announced, from the stage, a contest to win a guitar autographed by the concert performers, and invited members of the audience to send a text message to enter. McDonald says there were 5,600 text entries.

Another local CBS station, KJAQ-FM (96.5), is about to roll out a cell-phone service (although not provided by Vibes). Listeners can peruse the station's playlist on the Jack FM Web site, pick their favorite songs, then sign up to get an alert when those songs are about to be played on the air.