iTunes Offers Storefront Customization To Radio Web Sites

Two Emmis owned Hip-Hop stations Power 106 in LA and HOT 97 in NYC have teamed up with Apple to offer the first full integration of the iTunes Music Store into their websites.

Perhaps the most interesting part of the partnership is that Apple is not just granting access to it’s library, but is also giving the stations the ability to customize the storefront to fit their audience.  "We will have full control of the storefront itself," said Rey Mena, Vice President of Emmis Interactive. "Therefore, we can feature any artist we want to feature. Since each storefront represents Power 106 and HOT 97’s playlists, they will feature what is relevant to their listeners. In addition, if you want to know what Big Boy, Funkmaster Flex or other Power 106 and  HOT 97 DJs are listening to, you can find it on our websites and purchase it directly from the iTunes Music Stores."

If iTunes and other download services partner and share their massive catalogs and allow customization of the experience, the possibilities for digital storefronts serving niche markets is almost endless. From skateboard sites selling radical tunes to a museum’s site selling period music that matches their exhibitions, this could be a very exciting development for niche and indie music marketers. 

Source: Press Release