Take the oldest form of electronic communication, radio, and combine it with the newest, the Internet. That’s the premise of eYada.com, an online talk service which launched in mid-September.
To be supported by commercials that can be transplanted from radio, New York-based eYada runs round-the-clock conversation by celebrity talk-show hosts on the Internet.
“I look at so much of what is being done, and it’s focused on music, and yet the most successful thing on both radio and television is talk,” said Robert B. Meyrowitz, president/CEO of eYada.
The company aims to offer better reception than AM radio, but Meyrowitz said it won’t match the clarity of FM. The service’s advantage, he said, is that it can show pictures and allow viewers the ability to interact with hosts and other viewers. A 24-hour archive allows viewers to replay shows as well.
eYada targets men and women approximately 30 years old. The entertainment channel is currently active on the service. The other channels are expected to debut by the end of th eyear.
Hosts will promote the privately funded eYada. An ad campaign is also planned after the company completes reviewing agency pitches.
Every hour of talk will include 12 minutes of commercial time. EYada will run 30-second and 60-second spots designed for radio. The cost for a spot will be $250 per 20,000 unique visitors to a talk show. Bulk buys of 20 spots are preferred. At press time, eYada had yet to release a list of advertisers.
