Salem Communications Radio Stations Join iHeartRadio Digital Platform
Salem Communications Radio Stations Join iHeartRadio Digital Platform
Programming from the Country’s Leading Christian and Family-Themed Radio Stations Will Stream Wherever iHeartRadio is Available, including Web, Mobile and Automobile
NEW YORK -July 24, 2012-Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, the leading media company in America, and Salem Communications, a leading U.S. radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, magazine and book publisher targeting audiences interested in Christian and conservative opinion content, announced today that Salem Communications’ 97 radio stations will be available on the iHeartRadio digital radio platform, offering more choices and greater programming options for iHeartRadio users and a comprehensive, fully integrated digital listening service for Salem listeners.
Under the agreement, Salem’s 97 AM and FM radio stations from 37 markets will be available on the iHeartRadio platform beginning September 2012. iHeartRadio is Clear Channel’s free, industry-leading digital radio service that offers more than 1,000 broadcast and digital-only radio stations from 150 cities plus user-created Custom Stations inspired by favorite artists and songs, delivering listeners everything they want all in one fully integrated service. The newly added stations will promote iHeartRadio on-air, and Salem Communications will continue to stream their stations on the respective station websites.
“We are excited to be able to provide a broadcast-friendly platform for Salem radio stations and a fully integrated digital listening experience for their listeners,” said Brian Lakamp, President of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Digital. “Adding Salem radio stations to iHeartRadio offers our listeners an even more diverse listening experience.”
“It’s important that our content be available to our listeners no matter where or how they want to receive it,” said David Santrella, President Radio Division, Salem Communications. “Clearly iHeartRadio is a dominant player in the space and we are excited to be able to offer our content on the platform.”
Director of Digital Media of Salem Communications, Rodney Whitaker added, “We are looking forward to the launch of our partnership with iHeartRadio and the increased audience it will bring us, both online and through the mobile app. It’s clear they are dedicated to innovation and providing listeners with an ever-improving experience.”
iHeartRadio reached 10 million registered users this past May, a milestone achieved in only eight months — faster than all other popular entertainment and communication platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Pandora, Spotify and Instagram. Registered users are only a percentage of iHeartRadio’s overall listeners, since registration is only required for the Custom Station feature. The digital platform continues to bring incremental listening to Clear Channel’s 237 million monthly listeners, the largest audience of any media outlet in the U.S. Today, iHeartRadio is available as a free application across multiple platforms including web, mobile, tablets, automotive, television and gaming devices.
Clear Channel also continues to be one of the most popular digital music destinations, with the 100 million listening hours a month, more than 45 million monthly digital uniques, more than 95 million downloads of iHeartRadio mobile apps, and more than a 15 million fan reach through its station and radio personality Facebook pages.
About Salem Communications
Salem Communications (NASDAQ: SALM) is a leading U.S. radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, and magazine and book publisher targeting audiences interested in Christian and family-themed content and conservative values. In addition to its radio properties, Salem owns Salem Radio Network®, which syndicates talk, news and music programming to approximately 2,000 affiliates; Salem Radio Representatives™, a national radio advertising sales force; Salem Web Network™, an Internet provider of Christian content and online streaming; and Salem Publishing™, a publisher of Christian-themed magazines. Upon the close of all announced transactions, the company will own 97 radio stations, including 61 stations in 22 of the top 25 markets. Additional information about Salem may be accessed at the company's website, www.salem.cc.
Contacts
Salem Communications
Evan Masyr, 805-384-4512
evan@salem.cc