Satellite radio rocks these days, and here's some news that the sector hopes will improve its distribution. AOL today says it's teaming up with XM Satellite Radio to offer a co-branded online radio
service that will debut this summer in conjunction with AOL's launch of AOL.com as a Web portal. The co-branded radio service will be available to AOL members at no additional cost.
AOL and
XM say they will co-promote programming - XM to its 3.8 million subscribers, and AOL to 22 million paying members in the United States and more than 100 million unique monthly visitors to its network
of Web properties.
The plan calls for an integrated programming lineup that includes AOL programs like Radio KOL (radio for kids), AOL Music Sessions, and AOL Music LIVE! , as well as XM
favorites like "Then... Again... Live!" and "Artist Confidential." AOL and XM say they'll also develop new programming and services for the satellite and online sectors.
"The combination of
our leadership in online programming and XM's leadership in satellite programming represents a giant step in digital media," Jon Miller, AOL's chairman-CEO, said in a statement. "This relationship
creates important and valuable opportunities across our core businesses enabling us to provide unique value for our large Web audience, enhanced programming for our existing and new AOL members, and
the ability to introduce new premium services." The co-branded service will include an unlimited listening Web radio service with a sampling of 20 XM stations, plus 130 AOL Radio stations that
will be made available free on the Web. The AOL Radio Network has more than 10 million unique visitors per month, according to February comScore Media Metrix data.