• May 22, 2007

Clear Channel Communications has launched a free mobile messaging program on five radio stations in New York City.

Listeners to Z100 and other stations can now send text messages to make song requests, check traffic conditions and enter special contests.

The text-messaging program will be sponsored by mobile ads, and while declining to comment on specific monetization terms, John Hogan, chief executive officer of Clear Channel Radio, said advertisers "will pay us for the number of people we are able to reach."

Pending success in New York, Clear Channel plans to launch similar programs on up to 100 more stations by the end of 2008, with Salt Lake City and St. Louis slated to go live within the next two months.