Apparently the live-streamed iHeartRadio debut concert was more than a one-off marketing ploy, as Microsoft and Clear Channel today unveiled a multi-year partnership to integrate the new iHeartRadio digital radio service into the Xbox 360. The New iHeartRadio will be the only digital radio service on Xbox Live. It will be available for free to Xbox Live Gold members.
Beginning this winter, Xbox Live Gold members who have Kinect for Xbox 360 can use the product’s motion sensor to control digital radio in their living room using their voice and body. Gold members who have Xbox 360 but don’t have Kinect can operate the New iHeartRadio using their controller.
All Xbox 360 Gold members will have access to the New iHeartRadio’s features, including more than 800 of the nation’s most popular live broadcast and digital-only radio stations from 150 cities, plus custom stations. Xbox 360 users will be able to connect their New iHeartRadio accounts to Xbox Live for immediate access to many of the New iHeartRadio services and compelling social features through iHeartRadio’s relationship with Facebook.
Clear Channel and Microsoft had previously partnered on Xbox 360 to stream the two-day New iHeartRadio concert on September 23-24. The concert, which took place in Las Vegas, was available in high definition exclusively on the Xbox 360.
