Web directory Looksmart Wednesday acquired PM Media Inc., an Internet talk radio company, with the intention of jumping into the Internet radio game.
No financial specifics of the acquisition were disclosed, but Looksmart said it plans to incorporate PM Media’s radio programming, WorldWideWeb Radio, into its site later this month.
WorldWideWeb Radio is a nationally syndicated on-air and online Internet talk radio program broadcast in more than 53 U.S. markets. The program features daily, original content focusing on Internet news, search tips, interviews with celebrities and lifestyle experts, horoscopes and Web site reviews.
Looksmart said it also plans to offer a weekly Internet stock report by Laurence Dunn, a West
Coast hedge fund manager.
Portal sites such as Yahoo! and Lycos recently announced Internet radio programs as well featuring music channels, but Looksmart said it is aiming for an untapped market with a specific talk radio Internet site.
“Looksmart Radio is an exciting way for us to continue providing our users with quality,
highly differentiated content that is educational and informative,” said Evan Thornley, Looksmart’s co-founder and chief executive officer.
As a result of the acquisition, WorldWideWeb Radio founder and host Mike Walter will join Looksmart as director of Internet broadcasting.
Daily content components of Looksmart Radio will be offered for syndicated distribution through its network of more than 200 ISPs, the firm said. Users can listen via RealPlayer or Windows Media Player.
