TOP BROADCAST GROUPS INITIATE ITUNES TAGGING Jeffrey Yorke – Radio and Records A half dozen of the nation’s leading radio broadcasting companies have begun equipping their local HD Radio stations with iTunes Tagging technology that gives listeners the opportunity to snag and buy new music with the touch of a button.
When the technology installation is completed, consumers who hear a song on their local HD Radio stations can preview, buy and download it later on iTunes. Many of the industry’s decision makers see this as the future of radio’s ability to connect consumers to new music and lead them to the cash register to buy it.
iBiquity Digital Corp. said Tuesday (Oct. 2) that CBS Radio, Clear Channel, Cumulus, Cox, Entercom and Greater Media have embarked on the process of installing iTunes Tagging technology.
“When asked about the possibilities for HD Radio broadcasting my response is always the same -- the opportunities are limitless," said CBS Radio president/CEO Dan Mason. "This announcement is proof positive that HD Radio technology is a significant advancement for the radio industry, one that will afford our listeners with greater access to the music they discover on our stations. We’re thrilled to be working with Apple’s iTunes and iPod, the world’s leading portable music player, and are excited to see the company embracing all the benefits HD Radio technology provides."
Clear Channel CEO Mark Mays said, "Clear Channel Radio remains committed to being the leader in HD Radio content on both primary and multicast channels, and our embrace of iTunes tagging is just the latest step in that leadership.” Mays added, “We believe that HD Radio innovations such as this will continue to open up additional and new services for consumers and revenue opportunities for broadcasters."
“We are very pleased with the strong support iTunes Tagging has received from the broadcast radio industry,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple's VP of iPod product marketing. “iTunes Tagging is a great way for local broadcasters to jump into the digital music space and for consumers to easily discover new music on their HD Radio and enjoy it with iTunes and their iPod." |