(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —
Clear Channel Radio's Online Music & Radio unit has started a beta launch of Videos on Demand feature on 16 of its radio-station Web sites in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington, D.C. and St. Louis. A Video Vault of thousands of artist videos from 40 labels including Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, EMI Music and others will be available.
The Videos on Demand feature goes beyond videos to offer a completely interactive experience for listeners. In addition to watching what they want when they want it, listeners will be able to participate in key features such as "Video Challenge," where they can vote for their favorite artist video. Individual stations will also have the ability to customize their site by featuring specific artists and cross-promote on-air personalities. Because stations determine their own "Featured Artist," "Top 10 Video List" or "DJ's Favorite Pick," the video experience will be tailored to visitors' tastes and preferences.
"As our audience grows, we must grow with them," said Evan Harrison, executive vice president of Clear Channel Radio and head of the company's Online Music & Radio unit. "We see Videos on Demand as a powerful complement to our on-air programming and the next natural step in serving our audience's growing appetite for on-demand content."
Videos on Demand will include a "Buy CD" link and "Share Video" viral component which will allow listeners to purchase the CD the video is derived from and share links to the video with others. Archived videos of Clear Channel Online Music & Radio's programming including Stripped and homemade videos from NEW! artists will also be made available through Videos on Demand. As the program gets underway, there will also be an opportunity for advertisers to purchase 15 video ads to play prior to the music videos. Throughout the year, Clear Channel plans to expand the Videos on Demand program over Clear Channel radio-station Web sites across the country. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
