Summer Launch for AOL & XM

America Online and XM Satellite Radio said their joint online radio service will launch this summer.
America Online Chairman and CEO Jon Miller characterized the deal as “a giant step in digital media.” The co-branded service will include 20 XM stations plus 130 AOL Radio stations that will be available free on the Web. The companies say they will offer an enhanced version that includes more than 70 XM stations and 130 AOL Radio original and third-party stations, free to AOL members and for a fee to others on the Web.
The summer launch is timed to coincide with the release of AOL’s next AOL.com-Web portal, will be promoted to its 100 million online customers.
AOL and XM will co-promote their programs. XM will integrate certain AOL programs such as Radio KOL, AOL’s Music Sessions and AOL’s Music LIVE! into its satellite service. XM and AOL also pledged to develop new programs together.