XM & AOL COMBINE FORCES FOR LARGEST DIGITAL RADIO NETWORK FMQB XM and America Online announced today that they will team up to create a new online radio service together. The two companies will share content to create what they are calling "the world’s largest combined digital radio network." The new service will offer both a free, online web radio component, as well as an enhanced version that will be available to AOL members as part of their membership, or as a paid service to non-AOL users. The co-branded service will launch this summer as part of AOL's revamping of AOL.com.
The two companies will both promote the new service, with each providing unique content. AOL Music features will be integrated in XM's satellite radio programming, such as AOL Music Sessions and AOL Music Live! The free version of the online service will contain a mix of 20 XM stations and 130 AOL Radio stations. The enhanced version will feature over 70 XM stations alongside over 130 AOL Radio stations.
“The combination of our leadership in online programming and XM’s leadership in satellite programming represents a giant step in digital media,” said AOL Chairman/CEO Jon Miller. “This relationship creates important and valuable opportunities across our core businesses enabling us to provide unique value for our large web audience, enhanced programming for our existing and new AOL members, and the ability to introduce new premium services.”
“Our philosophy at XM has always been to work with strong partners at every level: retail, automotive, and now online to build awareness and subscriptions for XM. We are thrilled to be partnering with AOL and combining the creative resources of these two great companies,” said XM President/CEO Hugh Panero. “The multi-tiered co-branded radio offerings will feature a number of popular stations currently offered by the AOL Radio Network and XM Satellite Radio.”
“Our focus has always been on making the most valuable interactive programming and brands easily accessible to the broadest audience,” said Jim Bankoff, EVP of Programming and Products for AOL. “Now, as we prepare to launch our new portal and expand onto the web, we’re excited to step it up with this groundbreaking collaboration. Our relationship with XM enables us to enrich our mix of premier programming experiences while also extending the reach of our popular franchises to new platforms.” |