Clear Channel ups its podcasts

Broadcast radio giant Clear Channel Radio has plans to cast the Net wide. The radio giant said Thursday that more than 20,000 pieces of content had been downloaded or streamed off the Internet as part of its "Phone Tap" feed from New York station WHTZ-FM (Z100) since the trail began roughly two weeks ago. The company has decided to increase its podcasting portfolio to 20 new feeds.

Podcasting is a method of distributing audio files over the Web using a dedicated XML feed for listening on MP3 players. The content can also be downloaded or streamed. Clear Channel's new feeds will come from 12 different stations located in Los Angeles, San Diego, Cincinnati and Portland. Ten new feeds will be launched later this week, the broadcaster said.