(MediaBuyerPlanner) Clear Channel is allowing its smaller competitors - who lack the resources to fill HD and internet outlets - access to its format lab, which consists of 75 new round-the-clock channels that were once only available to company stations and few third-party licensees, Billboard Radio Monitor writes.

Stations can customize Clear Channel's new formats or purchase a standard package. Clear Channel Radio CEO John Hogan said, "Smart broadcasters will take the content and customize it and make it highly local and highly connectable to their local audience."

In the past four months, Clear Channel has increased its HD2 broadcast airing formats in its lab from 52 percent to 86 percent. However, few listeners that own HD radios can actually hear the formats over the air. According to a January 2006 Arbitron-Edison Media Research study, although 12 percent of Americans listen to internet radio weekly, fewer listen to radio on HD receivers or mobile phones.

Clear Channel is betting on these platforms to shape radio's future. "We'll go where the audience wants us to," said format lab division manager and co-vp of content R&D Mike O'Connor. "If the web unwires and broadband becomes prevalent in cars, we'll be ready to respond."