CASTING A 'NET FOR NEWS
Clear Channel Communications is going digital. The radio behemoth has bought Enigma Digital, an Internet radio network of rock, rap, electronic and lounge music stations, including the Net resurrection of L.A. metal station KNAC, dance destination Grooveradio.com and the swanky LuxuriaMusic.com.
While 300 of Clear Channel's 1,120 radio stations do webcasts, the deal marks the network's initial foray into genre-specific niche programming. Clear Channel plans to launch its own digital Net station, featuring an endless loop of Digital Underground's "Humpty Dance."
STATE OF CONFUSION
ACTV and MTV have fused for FUSION. The pairing will bring synchronized real-time web content and chat to MTV2 and its web site, via a free plug from MTV2 on HyperTV. FUSION is part of MTV2's "Box Block," which airs Monday through Friday at 4pm EST and on weekends at 10am. Said MTV2 GM David Cohn: "We're excited to partner with ACTV to create interactive content that enhances our MTV2 programming. We believe FUSION will be a big hit with our audience, combining three of their passions--music, the Internet and television. Oh, yeah...and setting themselves on fire."
GRATUITOUS NET ITEM
Amazon.com has opened its heart to struggling web sites with the launch of the Amazon Honor System. The service allows visitors to give financial support to favorite Internet sites using Amazon's one-click payment feature. Donations can range from $1-$50 and Amazon will collect 15% of each payment made and $.15 per transaction for the service. In addition, sites can sell access to online or downloadable content such as video, music or textual material using the Honor System. More than 50 sites are benefiting from the system, including Sioux music site indigenousrocks.com and extraterrestrial intelligence destination seti.org. Donations to hitsdailydouble.com can be sent to Pineapple Hill Saloon, attn: bar tab.
CUTTING TO THE GILLS
Net consultant Razorfish cut loose 400 employees Monday (2/5), in an attempt to improve profitability. The company aims to slash $70 million in expenses by restricting expense policies, streamlining regional departments and forging alliances with other new-media firms. Razorfish's clients include Disney, Canal Plus, Fox and Showtime Networks, all of whom are questioning the company's advice to fill staffing voids with hermaphrodites and circus monkeys.
PLAYING TO WIN
Flipside, Inc., Vivendi Universal Publishing's game division, has struck a deal with interactive entertainment company Uproar, Inc. The $140 million deal will create the world's largest online gaming presence. Under the terms, Flipside will acquire Uproar's outstanding stock for $3 per share. The merged company is expected to deliver $70 million in revenues in 2001 and will bring online versions of Family Feud, To Tell the Truth, You Don't Know Jack and Name That Tune under the Flipside umbrella. However, Flipside has scrapped plans to release "Name That Shooter," where players match weapons with their rap star owners.
