"Clear Channel Communication's online group, Clear Channel Online Music & Radio (CCOM&R), has launched beta versions of social networking mini sites on seven current radio station web sites" ~gadgetell (May 7)

radio stations are coming into the social network age. Soon you'll be able to create profile pages on the Web sites of your favorite radio stations. Then you can chat with other people who also listen to the same radio station.

Clear Channel Communication's radio stations are already letting you do this. The social networking features you'll be able to use on their site will include such features as a chat feature, blog, personal avatar and a customizable profile.

If my favorite radio station had social networking features I think I would have a profile there. I could find out what other people, local people, think about the news, new music and other things that would be talked about on the site. I might even meet someone who lives near me that has the same interests. That would be a cool side feature.

Will social networking features on radio stations lead to more loyal listeners? Will listeners use these features?