Mobile Radio Simplified. Accessible. Relevant.

Radio on cell phones — “It’s about being on the menu.” ABC Radio Networks SVP John Rosso says “there’s definitely an audience for it.” So regardless of how many people are going to the cell phones to listen to music – some are making the move. And that’s why radio should stake its claim.

ABC has just signed a deal with mSpot to put 14 Citadel-owned big-market stations on eight million Sprint phones. They’ll slowly add an e-commerce function as well. Rosso says as mobile companies improve phones to have better functionality he expects more will consumers try the technology. “The more you can do with it — the more consumers will expect. And that’s where radio can be a part of it. There’s value in our station brands and personalities.” Rosso tells Inside Radio they see so much value in their news and talk programming that they’re working on a separate deal for those.

For now ABC’s mSpot deal mirrors revenue-sharing arrangements already signed by groups including CBS and Clear Channel.

I will contact John Rosso to learn more. [dvd]