Clear Channel Taps Aguilera As Online VJ

In a significant expansion of its online video-on-demand offerings, Clear Channel Online Music and Radio today is rolling out its first "Video Six Pack," a sampler of favorite videos selected by well-known artists. Pop singer Christina Aguilera will kick things off as the first guest VJ.

Visitors to 119 Clear Channel station sites nationwide will be able to watch six of Aguilera's favorite videos as separate clips, or as a single half-hour show with Aguilera as hostess. They also can stream Aguilera's own videos and songs, view an Aguilera photo album, and watch an interview with the star in which she delivers the gossipy goods on life, love, and her new retro persona, "Baby Jane."

Evan Harrison, executive vice president for Clear Channel's online division, said the initiative is part of a massive push to turn Clear Channel Radio into a visual medium online. The company also recently launched two other programs--"Stripped," a series of live in-studio jam sessions and interviews, and "Sneak Peak," which gives viewers a chance to listen to albums before they are released.

"We first made our stations available to stream, then ventured into on-demand with Stripped and Sneak Peek, so this is just the next natural extension," said Harrison.

The rollout of video-on-demand, combined with an archive of more than 5,000 songs, have propelled the site to 2.5 million plays a week--around a tenfold increase from the beginning of the year, according to Harrison.

As with Clear Channel's other online offerings, the Video Six Pack feature will be monetized through both audio and visual ads, including banner advertisements and a single 15-second pre-roll video ad. Stations will be able to place banner and video ads for local advertisers, which will alternate with national ads placed by Clear Channel's national network sales. Some of the first national advertisers to appear on Video Six Pack include Guitar Center and Vonage.

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