NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — CBS Radio is planning to launch Last.fm as a broadcast radio station in select markets starting on October 5th. The formerly stream-only channel will be available via CBS's high-definition radio channels New York (102.7 HD2), Los Angeles (93.1 HD2), Chicago (93.1 HD3), and San Francisco (105.3 HD3), as well as streamed through CBS radio's website.
The station's playlists will be based on user-generated weekly charts built with Last.fm's "scrobbler" technology. The station will also feature live performances, artist interviews and other mixed content built around the station's flagship show "Last.fm Discovers," hosted by Sat Bisla.
Seth Neiman, Digital Content Manager of the CBS Interactive Music Group will direct the programming for this new Last.fm radio station.
CBS has been planning a move like this for some time after acquiring Last.fm in 2007 for $280 million and they hope that the new stations will help drive consumer expansion in the HD Radio realm.
Last.fm stations may also help to provide an outlet for indie artists who are finding it increasingly harder to gain exposure on commercial radio. Last.fm has partnerships not only with major labels like Universal, EMI, Sony BMG but also indie distributors such as The Orchard and IODA, giving them access to more than 280,000 independent artists and labels. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
