Clear Channel Radio Ups Web Stakes With Free Live Concerts

The NY Daily News reports that Clear Channel Radio is hatching a plan to use there broadcast clout to drive fans to related internet by using exclusive live concerts.

"Rob Thomas, the superstar frontman for rock band Matchbox 20, has agreed to do one of the first Stripped performances to promote his upcoming solo album "Something To Be."

"The shows are set to air for free on Clear Channel’s 1,000 radio station Web sites starting in May… names like John Legend, Gavin DeGraw, and Jesse McCartney also have signed on."

"None will receive a penny for their appearances – to be shot live, with no frills. They are banking on the concerts to stoke their record sales."

"Clear Channel plans to find one national and one local advertiser for each event and is said to be close to inking its first deals. The radio giant declined to comment."

"Hit hard by competition from iPods and satellite radio, radio stations are being forced to chase listeners where they can find them."

"Radio companies see big cash online at a time when their own sales are flagging. While the radio biz is set to grow just 2% to 3% this year to $22 billion, Internet ad sales are expected to surge by 30% to $11 billion. "

"Clear Channel recently got serious about the Internet, stealing away online music guru Evan Harrison, who was the brains behind AOL Music…Along with Yahoo Music, AOL has become the most popular music destination on the web."

"Clear Channel’s banking on Harrison to reinvent its Web sites, which now do little more than collect contest entries and rebroadcast radio programing from its stations.

"But it remains to be seen whether the radio giant can topple AOL Music, which lures nearly 20 million visitors a month."

"Harrison is already playing hardball. From now on, Clear Channel – which has a reputation for strongarming competitors – will no longer promote the events of AOL and other music sites on its radio stations, sources said."