ABC Audio affiliates will soon receive that content, including the ABC News Radio Network, from a different technology provider. The company now will use LinkUp Communications Corp. to deliver content to its 1,500 radio broadcast affiliates.
It has been using Skyview Networks since 2014. In June, ABC Audio and Skyview announced a planned conclusion to that contract.
LinkUp will provide affiliates with distribution of ABC Audio content and ad inventory through its network of XDS satellite and streaming receivers and internet file-based distribution. The transition will take place over four months.
ABC audio said its commercial radio news network is the nation’s largest. The new contract also includes audio, digital and social content for music formats; syndicated programs like “The Déjà Vu Show”; and ABC Audio music holiday specials. It also covers ABC’s radio sales partner Compass Media Networks.
The announcement of the “multiyear” deal was made by Vice President of ABC Audio Liz Alesse and LinkUp President Mark Johnson. ABC Audio said its radio affiliates reach 82 million U.S. listeners.
Separately, ABC Audio signed a multiyear podcast advertising deal with Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast, a podcast advertising marketplace. Alesse described ABC Audio’s podcast business as “flourishing” and said, “We’re poised to make several exciting content announcements this fall.”
The company creates original podcasts and also partners with Disney.
