Radio.com, CBS Radio’s main online property, added music videos Tuesday by launching three streaming channels on a new product called Looped.
At launch, Looped plays an uninterrupted flow of music videos on three channels dedicated to pop, urban and country genres, peppered with original clips such as artist interviews shot at local stations.
Music videos are among the most popular content on the internet, making them great magnets for viewers — but not necessarily the best business for musicians. Official music videos make up the vast majority of the most-watched clips ever on YouTube. There, owner Google takes a big cut of ad revenue, and some consumers are replacing track purchases with a simple search for that song they have an itch to hear.
CBS aims to take advantage of that popularity by reaching new audiences and amping up the time spent by existing visitors, but it’s extending a friendly hand to the recording industry too. It’s including a click-to-buy option within the Looped stream so viewers can purchase music through Apple’s iTunes.
The combination of music videos with original station content is the first of its kind, said Ezra Kucharz, president of CBS Local Digital Media. CBS Radio is the fifth biggest broadcast radio operator in the U.S. by number of stations, behind iHeartMedia (formerly Clear Channel), Cumulus, Townsquare and Alpha Media.
“We expect some others to follow,” he said of his competitors.
Kucharz wouldn’t specify the terms of its deal to add music videos, other than to confirm that CBS is working with Vadio, a start-up that helps companies port in music videos and tailor the experience to their own audience. CBS has been exploring the possibility of adding videos like this for more than a year, he said, with a goal of reaching new audiences and amping up the time spent by the visitors it already has.
Adele's 'Hello' Video: 7 Funniest, Furriest Spoofs From NFL to Miss Piggy (Videos)
"A Thanksgiving Miracle"
For those times when politics and family drama threaten to tear Thanksgiving dinner apart, "Saturday Night Live" came up with a foolproof plan of action: Play Adele. Everyone loves Adele.
Ken Jeong and Rob Riggle break up with NFC East
In a "Hello" parody for "Fox NFL Sunday," co-stars of "The Hangover" Ken Jeong and Rob Riggle ape the teams of the NFC East, including the D.C. team for its "racist name."
James Corden wants his trick-or-treating partner back
"The Late Late Show" host James Corden did his own parody of Adele's hit as a lonely Chewbacca who phones his Han Solo trick-o-treating partner for one last Halloween.
Ellen inserts herself into Adele's conversation
Turns out the person Adele is calling to say "Hello" is actually Ellen DeGeneres, and the daytime talk show host finally revealed her side of the conversation. In the spoof, she also takes calls from Drake and Lionel Richie.
Harrison Ford and Chewbacca reconcile their differences
During the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" episode dedicated to "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," Harrison Ford finally makes up with his estranged co-pilot with a little help from Adele.
Lionel Richie/Adele mash-up
With the title "Hello," Adele's single immediately reminded a few people of the Lionel Richie '80s ballad, including Richie himself. The singer posted a parody mash-up video to his Instagram account not long after its release.
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Miss Piggy covers Adele
Following her break-up with Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy channels the spirit of Adele in promo for ABC's "The Muppets" that aired during the American Music Awards.
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With singer’s album ”25“ breaking sales records, TheWrap rounds up the best parodies of the single taking the world by storm
"A Thanksgiving Miracle"
For those times when politics and family drama threaten to tear Thanksgiving dinner apart, "Saturday Night Live" came up with a foolproof plan of action: Play Adele. Everyone loves Adele.
