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Clear Channel Radio's Online Unit Chooses Google As Search Engine for More Than 1,100 Station Web Sites

Posted on: Wednesday, 5 April 2006, 09:00 CDT

Clear Channel Communications Inc. (NYSE:CCU):

-- Local Advertisers Will Get Top Priority in Search Results

Clear Channel Radio's Online unit today announced it has chosen Google as its exclusive search partner for its network of more than 1,100 radio station Web sites. The sites deliver on-demand content and original video and audio programming to nearly seven million visitors each month.(a)

The agreement provides Clear Channel Radio listeners with the chance to search through Google's search engine, without having to leave their favorite radio station site. Clear Channel's local advertisers will also benefit from the deal, as they will have the option to have their advertisements showcased first, followed by Google's sponsored links and Web search results.

"As our on-air audience continues to turn to our station sites for broadcast streams and on-demand programming, we will continue to build mutually beneficial partnerships with those who are best in breed," said Evan Harrison, Executive Vice President of Clear Channel Radio and head of the company's Online Music & Radio unit. "Google is a widely recognized name when it comes to search and our listeners will now have convenient access to the best search results on the Web, as well as our advertiser information."

Clear Channel Radio will be implementing three pieces of functionality from Google:

-- AdSense for Search: Sponsored links targeted to the search term typed in by the listener

-- WebSearch: Google's search tool which quickly returns the most relevant information on the Web

-- AdSense for Content: Sponsored links targeted to the contents of news articles across the Clear Channel network.

AdSense for Search and WebSearch will launch immediately while AdSense for Content will launch shortly thereafter. The Google Web search is currently available on over 1,100 Clear Channel Radio station Web sites.

(a) According to ComScore/Media-Metrix.

About Clear Channel's Online Music & Radio Unit

A division of Clear Channel Radio, this unit is focused on bringing terrestrial radio listeners online to the Web sites of the company's network of approximately 1,200 radio stations. Nearly seven million unique visitors per month choose Clear Channel Radio's online and on-demand music programming, which now includes videos of signature in-studio performances as well as live concerts, exclusive access to new releases and a full podcast roster of top-rated radio segments. More than 500 Clear Channel Radio station Web sites, including all of the company's stations in the top 25 markets, stream terrestrial broadcasts online. Over 950 Clear Channel Radio station sites are live with redesigned interfaces, extending to the Internet, the company's focus on improving the value of radio through less clutter.

About Clear Channel Radio

Clear Channel Radio is a leading radio company focused on serving local communities across the U.S. with more than 110 million listeners choosing Clear Channel Radio programming each week. The company's content can be heard on AM/FM stations, HD digital radio channels, on the Internet, via iPods, through Motorola's iRadio cell-phone service, and via mobile-navigation devices from Cobra, Garmin, Kenwood and others. The company's operations include radio broadcasting, syndication and independent media representation. Clear Channel Radio is a division of Clear Channel Communications Inc. (NYSE:CCU), a leading global media and entertainment company. More information on the company can be found at www.clearchannel.com.

Source: Business Wire

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