Capital gears up for online radio launches

LONDON (Brand Republic) – London-based radio operator Capital Radio has revealed plans to launch three specialist internet radio stations in the autumn.

Capital plans a station specialising in ballads and music aimed at women, a station for computer game players, and a third playing R&B and soul music. An interactive music station, Kikido, is also to be launched.

Capital has signed partnership deals with record companies BMG, Universal, EMI-Chrysalis, Virgin and Jive, and independent record labels association Aim, which will secure online rights. It has also signed technology deals with Microsoft and IBM, among others, to provide key new-media services.

The plans are part of the station’s online music strategy for its Capital Interactive new-media division. The announcements follow Capital Radio’s commitment in November 1999 to invest £5.5m in its online division. Further investment announcements will be made in November 2000. The division hopes to break even in 2005.

This article was first published on brandrepublic.com