Radio and The Power of the Download Face Off

Countdown shows used to be the sole domain of Radio - hosted by known DJs and based on radio airplay and subsequent hard-product sales. Then, a few years back, David Lawrence introduced the Net Music Countdown for "...tracking the sales and airplay of music online and counting down the Top 20 most popular artists weekly."

Beginning this weekend, the countdown show evolves again. Premiere Radio Networks will launch "The iTunes Download", a three-hour weekend show hosted by Alex Luke, iTunes Director of Music Programming.

According to a press release, "...In addition to playing a selection of the 30 most downloaded songs in America, Luke will interview high-profile music artists, and feature a "celebrity playlist" compiled by various entertainers, and iMixes, which are playlists listeners create in the iTunes Store."

Related: Clear Channel Makes 350 HD2 Stations iTunes Tagging Compatible