From the press release: "SurferNETWORK.com, an Internet marketing and content distribution company, was awarded the radio assets of BroadcastAMERICA.com, Inc., Portland, Maine, as the result of an auction conducted as part of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding.

"SurferNETWORK also completed its acquisition of the radio assets of GlobalMedia.com, Vancouver, BC. These transactions consolidate two of the early pioneers and leaders in streaming radio via the Internet, making SurferNETWORK the leading service provider of streaming radio with more than 1000 radio stations under contract. The company expects to average approximately 5 million listening hours every month, once these stations make the transition to streaming using SurferNETWORK's unique technology.

"SurferNETWORK and BroadcastAMERICA initially intended to combine the two companies, pending BroadcastAMERICA successfully exiting Chapter 11. However, neither company was able to raise more than the initial $1 million loaned to BroadcastAMERICA by a SurferNETWORK investor.

"In December 2000, with that loan depleted, BroadcastAMERICA laid off all of its employees and its communication providers shut down services to BroadcastAMERICA's 300 streaming-radio stations. In January 2001, BroadcastAMERICA proposed to the bankruptcy court that it auction off all of its assets. SurferNETWORK won the bid for those assets."

Read this story here. Early last month, it was reported that a US bankruptcy court had compelled BroadcastAMERICA.com hand over copies of their radio contracts to BA Funding, a subsidiary of SurferNETWORK.COM (reported in RAIN here).

...

Typical BroadcastAMERICA webcast had an AQH audience of 5 listeners .. "During the fourth quarter of 2000, BroadcastAMERICA reported 1.5 million unique listeners and 700,000 monthly aggregate listening hours." Dividing that 700,000 by 540 hours in a month (6A-12M), that's a total AQH of 1,400 listeners. Divided by the 300 stations they were streaming, that gives each webcast streamed an AQH of about 5 listeners. Also from the company press release: "The company expects to average approximately 5 million listening hours every month, once these stations make the transition to streaming using SurferNETWORK's unique technology." That'd be a total AQH of about 10,000 people -- about the same audience size as the 10th-rated radio station in Milwaukee...or about 2/3 of total radio listening audience at the average moment in Florence, SC. ...

An anonymous RAIN reader forwarded to us a copy of an e-mail he/she received from SurferNETWORK on February 6th:

Dear Streaming Customer, We regret to inform you that the carrier of your stream, Activate, is not willing to work with SurferNETWORK on a going-forward basis. We had tried diligently to reach an agreement with them so that we could maintain service until the conversion to the SurferNETWORK could be completed. However, today they unexpectedly terminated all of the web streams that they carried for your former provider, Global Media. We apologize profusely for this and rest assured we will be working around the clock to get you back up and streaming as soon as it is possible. There will be more information to come this Friday, February 9th. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact myself at (888) 322-2282 ext. xxx. Sincerely, Xxxx Xxxx Solutions Engineer www.surfernetwork.com Tel: (888) 322-2282 ext. xxx | Cell: (604) XXX-XXXX

 

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NetRadio.com has introduced a new broadband-enabled player for registered users.

Users who create a free "account," can listen with the new player which includes album cover art for each song, a list of the last 5 tracks played, an e-mail link right on the player, presets for favorite channels, and a choice of Real or Windows Media audio. The Windows Media stream is available in 64kbps broadband for several channels, including Smooth Jazz, alternative "The X" and HotAC "Hits!"

Have an opinion on this article? Share it! Simply click the headline at left to bring up a convenient "Submit" form.

From the press release: "RadioHiFi is now part of the CyberRadio2000.com family. CyberRadio2000.com, one of the world's largest multi-channeled netcasters with over 1.4 million unique users in the month of December has added RadioHiFi.com to it's portfolio of web properties.

"CyberRadio2000.com President Salvatore Lepore explains, 'We've been wanting to ramp up content that is different from the CyberRadio2000.com brand. Last week's addition of Musical Starstreams (a syndicated radio program) and now an entire web property (Radiohifi.com) accomplishes that for us".

"Radiohifi.com consists of former B96 (WBBM-FM/Chicago) morning man Frankie "Hollywood" Rodriguez and legendary Chicagoland club jock (and mobile wizard) Jimmy Perna. Both handle the duties as character hosts on Radiohifi's music channels."

Simply click the headline at left to bring up a convenient pop-up form -- or click here to use your own e-mail software.

February 21-25, 2001	The Gavin Seminar 2001, Miami, FL
February 26-28, 2001	Broadcasters Website Sales Conf. 2.0, Tempe, AZ

Beginning Monday February 5th, "RAIN: Radio And Internet Newsletter" will be working from the offices of Strategic Media Research. We're currently in the process of moving from the Lakeview location into downtown Chicago.

As a result of this change, the entire RAIN staff can now be reached at 312 726-8300. All e-mail addresses will remain the same.

Naturally, there may be a bit of a lapse in communication while we make this transition. We apologize for any inconvenience you might experience in trying to track us down, and appreciate your understanding.