Infinity launches first podcastring radio station

This is a little out of SiliconBeat’s area, but it’s interesting nonetheless and another example of the shifting media landscape…Infinity Broadcasting is launching the first-ever podcasting radio station. The company is soliciting podcasts from listeners, which it will stream on the Web and broadcast on a local AM radio station. The experiment begins here in the Bay Area. “Everyday we’ll feature new, innovative and cutting edge programs produced by people like you,” the company says on a new site. “Your original thoughts and sounds will be broadcast in San Francisco on the revolutionary 1550 KYCY-AM and streamed worldwide at KYOURADIO.com.” Oddly — and this seems pretty key — it’s not clear if listeners will be able to download the programming as podcasts. Also, we saw no mention of whether Infinity will share any revenue with the content producers.

Coverage here. And the press release is below.

UPDATE: The FAQ on the Infinity site says: “However, you cannot download Podcasts on kyouradio.com. Instead tune in to 1550 KYCY-AM or click Listen Live.” Hmm. So much for time-shifting.

INFINITY BROADCASTING LAUNCHES KYOURADIO,

THE WORLD’S FIRST PODCASTING RADIO STATION,

ON MONDAY, MAY 16

New Radio Platform To Be Featured On

San Francisco’s KYCY-AM And KYOURADIO.COM

Joel Hollander, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Infinity Broadcasting, announced today the creation of KYOURADIO, the world’s first-ever podcasting radio station. KYOURADIO’s content will be created exclusively by its listeners and available in San Francisco at 1550 KYCY-AM and streamed online at www.kyouradio.com beginning on Monday, May 16.

“We’re always thrilled when we can incubate new programming ideas and bring them to life on our radio stations in ways we never before imagined,” said Hollander. “Whether it’s creating original formats or adapting new technology to our existing business, Infinity is leading the charge for unique listening experiences. There is a profound shift underway in the way we use technology that allows everyone to have a voice. KYOURADIO harnesses that power by serving our listeners with content developed by them for them and offering a platform to share it with the rest of the world.”

Added Hollander, “We envision KYOURADIO not only as a place to hear a fresh and new perspective created from the outside, but an outlet with which to foster the creativity of undiscovered talent from all walks of life.”

Podcasting technology, first made popular in late 2004, allows users to create and upload their own audio programs on the Internet which can be downloaded to multimedia players at a later date. The software also lets users subscribe to their favorite podcasts and have them sent automatically to their players for listening at their convenience.

Beginning today, users will be able to upload their podcasts of varying lengths for free at www.kyouradio.com where it will be eligible to be selected for broadcast. Programming on the station will be determined by listener interests and feedback, and evaluated on a daily basis.

Infinity is one of the largest major-market radio operators in the United States, with stations covering the news, modern rock, oldies, country, FM talk, classic rock and urban formats, among others. A division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), Infinity operates 183 radio stations, the majority of which are in the nation’s top 50 markets. Additionally, Infinity is home to 29 of the country’s leading sports franchises amongst MLB, the NFL, the NBA and the NHL.