From Vanilla to Full Metal Racket

FROM VANILLA TO FULL METAL RACKET
[SOURCE: BusinessWeek, AUTHOR: Tom Lowry]
[Commentary] Clear Channel Communications was once vilified for almost singlehandedly destroying broadcast radio with its cookie-cutter playlists and barrage of ads. So it may seem a trifle incongruous that the King of Vanilla is rolling out eclectic niche channels with names like Dank ("Hip Hop and Rock all rolled up into one big spliff"), Full Metal Racket ("It's dark, it's edgy, it beats, and it rocks"), and Mother Trucker ("a hearty serving of the best Southern Rock"). Easy listening it isn't, but that's how Clear Channel wants it these days. And get this: The San Antonio-based broadcaster is set to launch a whole new business helping other radio stations come up with cool programming. Could this be the same company that inspired a Web site called ClearChannelSucks.net? It's all part of the rollout of next-generation high-definition radio. HD as it's known, digitally squeezes more programming into one frequency, boosting sound quality and allowing existing stations to offer side channels tailored to genres or local markets. As part of the new initiative, to be announced on April 24, Clear Channel and other broadcasters will expand their current HD offerings to 50 cities, up from 28 now. Clear Channel hopes to differentiate itself from XM Satellite and Sirius Satellite Radio, which offer the same channels nationwide, by coming up with content tailored for local audiences.
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/apr2006/tc20060420_287963...

See also --
* Strong Majority of Americans Believes Radio Continues to be Important in American Life
[SOURCE: American Media Services news release]
Americans rate the importance and relevance of local commercial radio very highly, despite the entry of high-technology competition, a national survey commissioned by American Media Services shows. The survey found that 78 percent said radio is important in their everyday lives, and 91 percent said radio is important in American life in general. Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) said they listen to radio at least once a day.
http://sev.prnewswire.com/radio/20060419/DCW02419042006-1.html