INFINITY PLANS TO BROADCAST TO CELLPHONES IN U.S. Sue Zeidler – Reuters Infinity Broadcasting said on Sunday it planned to broadcast its programs to mobile phones in the United States, and include text data for subscribers.
The plan would let cellphone users view song titles and artists' names, check concert dates, buy tickets, ring tones and other content, and participate in station promotions.
Infinity, a unit of Viacom Inc., said it was the first broadcaster committed to the concept in the United States, although it has not reached a deal with a mobile phone operator to carry the service, called "Visual Radio."
Nokia is building handsets for the service, which Infinity is developing together with computer maker Hewlett-Packard Co.
Last week, top U.S. radio station operator Clear Channel Communications Inc. announced plans to begin offering clips of its programs over cell phones by the end of 2005.
Both Infinity and Clear Channel are moving aggressively to revamp their traditional radio business with new distribution outlets as they struggle with satellite radio and digital music players like Apple Computer's iPod and the Internet for listeners' attention. |