Broadband Radio and CCU
FYI
News: CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS(CCU)
InXsys Broadcast Networks Forms Joint Venture with KIIS-FM and Clear
Channel Communications to Launch a New International Multimedia Internet
Radio Network
PR Newswire
Monday July 26 10:30am
- KIISFMi.com Audio/Video Entertainment Portal Aims to Become The Portal of Choice for Teens & Adults Wanting Hot New Music, Videos and Original Programming -
LONGVIEW, Wash., July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- InXsys Broadcast Networks, a
leading radio web content provider and division of BuySellBid.com, today announced that it has formed a strategic venture with America's leading Top 40 Adult Contemporary radio station KIIS-FM (Los Angeles) owned by Clear Channel Communications (NYSE: CCU) to create an original audio and video programming broadcast network for the Internet called KIISFMi (http://www.kiisfmi.com). KIISFMi will not be a simulcast of KIIS-FM but will be a completely new alternative programming defined as the "next top 40" including interviews, new music showcases, breaking music, video
entertainment and lots and lots of interactivity defined as "A New Media for a New Generation."
The www.kiisfmi.com site, planned to be launched Labor Day weekend
(September 6, 1999), will be available to teenagers and young adults
worldwide through the Internet, broadening the reach of the station
beyond Los Angeles and complementing radio programming with new Web content. The new station will be syndicated nationally and internationally. Negotiations are underway for partnerships in Europe, Asia, and South America.
Under the terms of the agreement, KIIS-FM, through Clear Channel
subsidiary Citicasters, and Hot Radio Networks, the broadcast subsidiary of InXsys, have agreed to provide new music, videos, chat and celebrity interviews that have not reached the Top 40 yet, and original content from its on-air celebrities, featuring popular on-air KIIS-FM personalities.
The new site is also expected to integrate BuySellBid.com's
industry-leading services, including on-line classifieds, auctions,
personals, and e-commerce, with the KIIS-FM on-air/on-net programming.
For instance, celebrity-signed items from guests appearing on the Rick
Dees morning show will be featured on BuySellBid.com (
buysellbid.com). Former Milli Vanilli member Fabrice will be offering advice on DateChannel.Com (http://www.datechannel.com).
Based on the popularity of KIIS-FM in Japan, InXsys is also entering
into partnership discussions to develop similar teen programming in
Japanese as well as Chinese, Korean and other languages.
"We believe the creation of a new life-form exclusively for the Internet medium is a key addition to our existing Clear Channel exclusive KIISFM.com audio stream," said Roy Laughlin, General Manager of KIIS-FM. "Simulcasting AM programming on FM radio in the '70s was effective initially. FM quickly developed its own unique programming as is the case for KIISFMi."
"We are excited to launch a new international radio multimedia network.
Our goal is to syndicate the network worldwide," said Laurence Norjean, President of BuySellBid.com, in announcing the deal. "Building this network on the base of KIISFM, a station known worldwide, gives us a powerful base. The network will have several channels embracing every format from rock to country, Hispanic to Rap/Urban and sports/talk. New Channels are in the planning stage and will be launched every 60-90 days. Now, millions of listeners in the US and around the world will have access to alternative Internet radio built on the solid foundation of the best of American traditional radio."
Clear Channel Communications is a globally diversified media and outdoor advertising company and is a world leader in out-of-home media. Including all pending acquisitions, Clear Channel operates, or is affiliated with, 755 radio stations, 19 television stations and
approximately 302,000 outdoor advertising displays in 26 countries
worldwide. Clear Channel (http://www.clearchannel.com) also owns 29
percent of Heftel Broadcasting Corporation (Nasdaq: HBCCA), the largest Spanish-language radio broadcaster in the United States.
InXsys Broadcast Networks (http://www.inxsys.com) is the integrated
media division of BuySellBid.com, Inc. BuySellBid.com (
buysellbid.com), founded in 1996 and headquartered in
Longview, Washington, has fast become the industry leader in Internet
commerce solutions by building both advanced proprietary on-line
e-commerce systems and an extensive network of Internet sites through
exclusive partnerships with more than 1600 U.S. media Web sites
(including equity partner NBC), plus TV, radio, cable and magazine
partners. The Company, through its vast multi-media distribution
network, targets specific consumer and commercial segments through its
co-branded and flexible services including: BuySellBid.com Classifieds, the largest and only multimedia classifieds on the Internet; BuySellBid.com Auctions, the localized auction system with live capabilities and chat; BuySellBid.com e-Shopping including individual shops and e-Malls; and Date Channel (http://www.datechannel.com) the most advanced singles system on the Web.
KiisFMi.com
Description & Business Model
Clear Channel Communications and Hot Radio Networks, Inc. (a subsidiary of BuySellBid.com, Inc.) have entered into an equal (50/50%) partnership to form "Radio Impact, LLC" -- the first Internet-based radio group (network) with the programming, sales, distribution, and technical expertise, as well as, financial ability of both organizations to launch multiple format Internet radio brands as part of an Internet-based multimedia radio network.
Radio Impact's first Internet radio channel will be "KIISFMi.com", the
prototype and Cadillac franchise of the company.
The Format
KIISFMi, "The Next Top 40" station, will be modeled after World Famous
KIIS FM 102.7, Clear Channel Communications' crown jewel. KIIS FM's Rick Dees & Ellen K, as well as other on-air personalities will be utilized by KIISFMi to promote the new station and participate in its on-air programming. In addition, KIIS FM's substantial resource of major Hollywood, music and TV on-air guests and KIIS's promotional power will add to the format's strength and incredible audience appeal.
The Content
The KIISFMi website will incorporate video programming, which will be a key component of this new format, which will include fresh music from major contemporaries as well as new artists which will incorporate entertainment features not currently available anywhere else on the Internet or on the air. Archived celebrity interviews and one-of-a-kind auction items will make this site a favorite destination.
Story-line cyber-characters will create a virtual "soap opera",
reminiscent of the best comedy characters developed in other media. The web site will have a "pinball machine" style, incorporating e-commerce selling ability. The web site will reflect an interactive functionality as on-going music selections can be purchased real time by our web listeners. Content will revolve around featured artists as well as functional "mini-browsers" for key sponsor/advertisers. The site will drive the same interaction and selling ability without the distraction of "pop-up" features.
The Facilities
Located in the heart of Hollywood's entertainment district -- Burbank,
California, the site will feature remote broadcasts, including Hollywood
clubs and concert venues, its very own Venice Beach House and other hot spots in the LA area as well as on location from coast to coast (through the facilities of the Clear Channel group of stations).
The Target Audience
KIISFMi's target audience (and advertiser appeal) will be as broad as
KIIS FM's which boasts over 2.5 million core listeners per week ranging from all demographics. KIIS is currently rated #1 English for ages 12+, #1 Women 12-34, #1 men and women 25-54. KIISFMi's audience is expected to draw from the same demographics that have made KIIS FM #1 in LA -- but one key difference will be that KIISFMi will not be restrained by signal boundaries -- the first "Radio Super Station"!
Secondary results from the site will include first rate research tools
that can be utilized for music tests and target demographic "like and
dislikes" that can be sold to record labels and music programmers.
The Revenue & Distribution Model
Revenue stream opportunities will blend the best of radio and the
Internet -- radio advertising time, special sponsorships of advertiser
categories, contests, promotions, banner ads, e-commerce in the form of classifieds, auctions, personals, & shopping.
Additionally there are extensive marketing and revenue opportunities
regarding research, net distribution (which will include all 650 Clear
Channel sites), satellite distribution for planet-wide audio/video
reception.
Network & Programming Expansion
KIISFMi will be the first channel on the network, that will eventually
offer multiple format channels (including Rap & Urban from Detroit,
Country from Nashville, Hispanic from Miami, and Hard Rock from New York
-- the world centers for creativity in music). All of the formats will
include what's hot and what's going to be the next most popular music --
in essence what audiences are demanding as a major alternative.
The first addition to the network will include XTRAi, a hard rock format Internet station that will attract the core listeners of Clear Channel Communication's XTRA Sports network. Listeners will be drawn to this second station by XTRA Sports' bevy of on-air personalities -- including Jim Rome and special iJocks.
It is our intention to syndicate our network on major sites across the
US in virtually every product category as well as distribute the network through major media partners in Europe, Asia and South America. Foreign distribution will provide for local language ability as well as local commercial insertion to maximize revenue. |
