AOL Radio, which now is part of the AOL Huffington Post Media Group’s AOL Music division, is relaunching to partner with Slacker, the personalized online music Internet radio service.
This is a win for Slacker. Slacker says it will begin managing online channels of AOL Radio this summer, replacing CBS Radio in that capacity.
CBS and AOL announced their partnership in 2008.
The new agreement, according to AOL and Slacker, will enable the latter company to deliver new radio offerings to a larger audience. AOL Radio and Slacker will develop new advertising opportunities for clients; another goal is to “integrate AOL Music’s original editorial voice” across its services.
AOL Radio is promising an “enhanced” radio experience with fewer ads, new personalization features and premium subscription offerings.
The service will deliver three product tiers: the free AOL Radio service, plus ad-free radio and on-demand premium subscription tiers with personalization and customization managed by Slacker.
AOL didn’t announce pricing for the new AOL Radio offerings. Slacker Radio Plus costs $5 per month, while Slacker Premium Radio is $10 per month, according to its website.
The new AOL Radio player and its iPhone App will relaunch in late summer. Android and other platform launches will follow. The player will continue to host AOL’s 250 original music stations, as well as new Slacker programming including stations and content from ESPN Radio and ABC News Radio.
