Clear Channel Radio snaps up Thumbplay's cloud music platform

Broadcast giant Clear Channel will acquire mobile entertainment provider Thumbplay's cloud-based music platform in a bid to expand its iHeartRadio digital music service. Financial terms were not disclosed. In addition to the Thumbplay Music service and technology, Clear Channel Radio also will absorb related product and marketing staff, although Thumbplay will retain its ringtone business.

Thumbplay Music launched in January 2010, promising unlimited, on-demand access to millions of songs from content partners including Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and EMI Music, along with and a host of independent labels and content aggregators. Thumbplay introduced the service across iPhone, Android and BlackBerry platforms as well as for desktops, with subscriptions priced at $9.99 per month. The firm reported downloads in excess of 500,000 as of late last year.

Clear Channel Radio will incorporate the Thumbplay Music solution into iHeartRadio, which powers digital services spanning 750 CC-owned stations in 150 markets. iHeartRadio touts more than 24 million app downloads and 25 million monthly unique users; Clear Channel Radio said it will deploy a host of subscription services across digital channels including mobile, the web and the automotive sector, also rolling out new features and functionality enabling listeners to create their own personalized radio stations.

For more:
- read this release

Related articles:
New content deals expand Thumbplay Music to 8 million tracks
Apple alum Calamera to head up Thumbplay Music
Echo Nest discovery tools enhance Thumbplay Music
Thumbplay turns on unlimited music service