SONICBOX CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW

Online radio provider Sonicbox, which gathers both terrestrial and Internet stations from around the world, organizes them on its iM Band and provides access via its iM Tuning Software, has cut a deal with Clear Channel to offer several of the chain's Northern California outlets under its banner.

These include San Francisco Crossover station KMEL, the KSJO Rock Network, KFOX, KYLD and Channel 104.9.

The cluster of Bay Area Clear Channel stations bolsters Sonicbox's selection of format-specific, specialty and world stations—which encompass everything from hip-hop to all-surf. Sonicbox will offer its iM Tuning Software to these stations' sites as well as e-commerce applications.

Listeners using the iM Band can program their own playlists, give "smile" or "frown" feedback on individual songs and artists, get more info and order CDs. There is also hardware to allow users to send the signal from their PCs to home stereos.

Sonicbox says it plans to announce several other major developments early in Q1. Some speculators believe the pact with this Clear Channel cluster is a test case and could result in a larger alliance with the broadcast behemoth down the line.

Others predict the now-"embargoed" announcements have to do with going after the Guinness World Record for most press releases in one month by a dot-com.

"Our relationship with Clear Channel illustrates our commitment to taking terrestrial stations beyond the Internet and extending their reach globally through iM Tuning Software and next-generation iM Band-enabled devices," crowed Sonicbox Co-Founder/Chairman Niko Bolas. "And I'm pretty sure it means I won't have to go back to my old job of pouring caffeine-enabled beverages."