NuFace, Crawford’s WPWX(FM), Chicago Debut ‘Digital Download Hour’

Crawford Broadcasting’s Power 92, WPWX(FM), Chicago and NuFace Entertainment, are launching the NuFace “Digital Download Hour,” an online music program that allows listeners to download new singles heard on-air before they are released to the market. The one-hour weekly program will begin on WPWX on May 16.
Crawford and NuFace hope to expand the concept to other Crawford stations executives told RW Online during a press conference.
The Download Hour will feature unreleased tracks from major and independent record labels. Following the show, listeners will be able to go through the station’s Web site and purchase tracks, which will be hosted on the NuFace digital platform.
“Given the growing demand of online music consumption, customers want music when they want it and on their own terms,” said NuFace CEO Rita Lee. New singles are typically released to market more than 30 to 45 days after radio debut. During this time period when consumers can hear the music but cannot legally purchase the song so revenue is lost. NuFace executives say the new download program provides a solution and a new means of income to the record retail industry.
Taft Harris, station general manager for Chicago’s Power 92 and Soul 106 said, “We’re happy to be a pioneer with this program offering. To be able to hear exclusive new music and simultaneously obtain it through radio for the first time via the Internet will create a new experience for listeners and draw additional people into the medium.”
When consumers hear songs they want to buy, they use a pre-paid digital distribution card to download the songs. They use those cards to download music. The cards will be sold at retail outlets for $5, $10 and $20.
As part of the deal, Power 92 will have the ability to co-sell the ad space on the NuFace Cards as part of its promotional packages, as well as online ad inventory on the NuFace Download Hour Web site.
In this program, record labels and artists will be able to participate in revenue sharing from sales derived from the downloads, executives said.
Rap singer Doug E. Fresh and New York’s DJ Hollywood, will mix and co-host the program while Local Power 92 radio personalities Pharris Thomas and The Boolu Master will also serve as on-air hosts. As well as offering new tracks, the program will feature hip-hop news, sports and celebrity interviews.