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ABC Radio Networks to Produce and Distribute Jack-FM(TM) 'Playing What We Want'(R) Radio Format

Posted on: Thursday, 8 September 2005, 09:00 CDT

NEW YORK, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- ABC Radio Networks today announced an exclusive agreement with SparkNet Communications L.P. to develop and market the Jack-FM(TM) radio format for national distribution. The Jack-FM format is the fastest-growing format in North America and presently heard on 21 radio stations.

Under the agreement, ABC Radio Networks will have exclusive rights to create, market, and sell a fully produced and locally integrated broadcast of Jack-FM programming to stations across the country. Jack-FM will be marketed and sold to stations through ABC Radio Networks beginning on October 1, 2005.

"The explosive growth and popularity of Jack-FM has spawned numerous imitators but none have the research and depth of the original," said Jim Robinson, president of ABC Radio Networks. "We are very excited to be working with SparkNet Communications to offer Jack-FM in a turn-key package. This unique product will enable station owners and operators to create new marketing opportunities for their advertising partners."

Formed in July 2005 by Vancouver-based Bohn & Associates Media and Nashville-based Wall Media, SparkNet Communications L.P. is the exclusive U.S. licensor and owner of Jack-FM positioning, imaging and the website jack.fm. The company was specifically created to manage the continued growth of Jack stations around the world.

"SparkNet is focused on growing the Jack-FM brand strategically and building partnerships that will bring Jack to more people in this country and across the globe," said Garry Wall, co-president of SparkNet Communications L.P. "We are delighted to be working with ABC Radio Networks, the leader in syndicated music programming, to bring Jack-FM to the broadest possible global audience."

SparkNet Communications' unique Jack-FM branded programming package, with its expanded playlist and irreverent attitude, is widely recognized as one of the most successful radio format launches in modern radio history. Jack-FM features an eclectic mix of musical genres, firmly addressing the long-time listener demand for variety and less repetition. The format first aired with Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. in Vancouver, Canada on December, 2002, as a direct reaction to listeners' demands for a more diverse and engaging musical mix than is found on tightly formatted mainstream radio.

For details on affiliation information in Arbitron markets 41 and smaller, please contact Stuart McRae at ABC Radio Networks, (866) 436-7628 or Stuart.D.McRae@ABC.com.

About ABC Radio Networks

ABC Radio Networks has nearly than 4,600 affiliate radio stations reaching 116 million people age 12 and over each week. Programs and services include ABC News Radio, Paul Harvey News and Comment, The Sean Hannity Show, Satellite Sisters, The Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Doug Banks Morning Show, MoneyTalk with Bob Brinker, The Larry Elder Show, American Country Countdown with Bob Kingsley, The Dan Patrick Show, The Michael Baisden Show, Dick Bartley's Rock & Roll's Greatest Hits, The John Batchelor Show, Saturday Night at the 80s, Renan Almendarez Coello-El Cucuy de la Manana, El Vacilon de la Manana with Luis Jimenez and Moonshadow and El Vacilon de la Manana with Enrique Santos and Joe Ferrero. Other ABC broadcast services include ABC Sports Radio, Radio Disney, ESPN Radio, syndicated music and talk programs including Flashback, format-specific ePREP and production libraries, and eleven 24-Hour Formats, including Scott Shannon's True Oldies Channel.

Jack-FM(TM) and "Playing What We Want"(R) are trademarks of SparkNet Holdings, Inc.

ABC Radio Networks

CONTACT: Bennett Kleinberg, bkleinberg@goodmanmedia.com, or SakuraKomiyama, skomiyama@goodmanmedia.com, both of Goodman Media International,+1-212-576-2700, for ABC Radio Networks

Source: PRNewswire

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