A San Jose, Calif.-based company is trying to solve that problem with technology that allows radio stations to display their playlists online in real time. GetMedia Inc.'s software will also let those stations become e-commerce players by letting users order CDs online. CEO Robert Goldman says GetMedia has the capability to handle online music distribution, such as MP3 downloads, and will begin selling them as soon as licensed content is available.
Radio drives all music sales, effectively.
What's very common is people come into record stores and actually sing the song for the clerk. With GetMedia, radio stations can capitalize on that impulse, he said. The radio stations get 30 percent of profits from the sales, he said. GetMedia handles fulfillment and customer service, and it's up to the radio stations to promote the sites. Users scroll through a playlist and can view CD covers of the songs.