Net beckons radio broadcaster Infinity

Infinity Broadcasting is the latest radio operator to jump on the Internet bandwagon.

The radio company, which tested the waters by launching a Web edition of its all-news station WCBS in December 2004, said Wednesday that 11 news radio stations would follow suit soon.

Beginning March 14, Infinity news radio stations, including those in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Boston and Detroit, will be streamed over the Internet. As many as 12 million listeners tune in to Infinity's news stations per week, according to the company.

"The millions of people who tune in to our radio stations are increasingly looking for alternative ways to receive the information vital to their everyday lives," Infinity CEO Joel Hollander said in a statement. "We believe streaming our stations online will not only exceed their expectations, but will also create an outlet with which we can target a larger audience and increase time spent listening."

Infinity, which is part of Viacom, has a total of 183 radio stations broadcasting modern rock, oldies, country, FM talk, classic rock and so on. Infinity competitor Clear Channel Communications has implemented a Web strategy for its 1,200 radio stations.