'Net music service launches

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Nov 11, 2099 Source: Reuters/Variety Submitted By: Thursday November 11 2:15 AM ET 'Net music service launches By Marc Graser HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Launch Media Inc (Nasdaq:LAUN - news). is expected to bow a new personalized Internet radio service Thursday called LaunchCast, which enables users to act as DJs and create playlists for themselves and other listeners online, choosing from Launch's library of thousands of digital music files. The bow of the Santa Monica-based company's service comes one day after the company announced it has created a consortium of online music Web sites. It hopes to lure advertising dollars and traffic because of its lucrative young demographic of Internet users, made up of 12- to 34-year-olds. Radio service LaunchCast, available as a test version at launch.com, will officially bow in early 2000, generating revenues from banner ads and radio spots. By rating songs, albums, artists and sampling other community members' stations, users ``teach'' the online music player which types of music they want. Highly rated songs will be played more frequently. Music is streamed directly through the Launch Web site, negating the download of a player, which competitors Spinner. com and RealNetworks force Netizens to do. Charter sponsors for LaunchCast include the Wrigley Co., Heinz, Ford, and the U.S. Navy. Launch's Online Music Group has already teamed up with 20 Web sites, including the official sites for 'N Sync, CNote, LFO, the Doors and fansites for the Backstreet Boys, Garth Brooks, Quincy Jones' Qradio.com and e-tailer MusicMatch.com. The news helped boost Launch's stock, sending shares up $1 to close at $12.88, a gain of 8%. Within the structure of OMG, Launch will purchase the advertising inventory of all participating sites and will use its own national sales force to sell ads. Member sites will receive a cut of Launch's ad revenues. As part of the program, Launch will make select Launch.com musicvids and other content, including interviews available to member sites. Launch currently has more than 2 million registered users of its CD-ROM-based magazine, which offers artist biographies, interviews, album reviews and concert info. Launch.com receives 1 million visitors per month, according to Media Metrix. Reuters/Variety Comment on this item. Next Item: LAUNCH.COM Creates the 'Online Music Group' With Leading Music Websites Prev Item: Jive talkin' $60 mil for Backstreet Boys