Posted on: Tuesday, December 7, 2004

Clear Channel chooses Fox for national news

Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO — Clear Channel Communications Inc., the nation's largest radio station operator, has selected Fox News Radio to provide national news for most of its news and talk stations in a deal expected to nearly double Fox's radio presence.

No terms of the five-year cash deal were disclosed yesterday. But Fox, a unit of News Corp., said that if all options are exercised, its radio service could have more than 500 affiliates by the middle of next year.

The deal helps Fox News compete with more-established radio news providers, including ABC Radio and CBS Radio. Fox News will air on many of Clear Channel's most prominent news and talk stations, including those in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta and San Diego.

Clear Channel owns several radio stations in Hawai'i, including KSSK-AM/FM.

Fox currently provides one-minute newscasts to 275 stations. Starting next year, it will provide more than 100 Clear Channel stations with a 5-minute newscast at the top of each hour, a nightly news broadcast and serve as Clear Channel's primary source on breaking national news.

In return, Fox News Radio will have access to local news by Clear Channel staff.