Thasis and WebNetRadio form Jukebox Broadcasting to unify nearly 100 streaming channels

Thasis LLC and WebNetRadio are merging their internet radio operations into Jukebox Broadcasting LLC, a new company that will launch as Jukebox.media in early 2027. The move is designed to fold nearly 100 channels into one genre-based music service and build a larger advertising platform for digital audio buyers.

Why it matters: - The combination could give advertisers a single way to buy across a large set of music streams instead of separate station-by-station placements. - The new model is built around genre discovery, which may make internet radio easier for listeners to browse and for the companies to monetize. - The companies are targeting early 2027 for launch, giving them time to integrate technology, branding and sales.

What happened: - Thasis LLC and WebNetRadio announced that they are joining forces to create Jukebox Broadcasting LLC, which will operate as Jukebox.media. - The companies will merge their streaming channels, technology and commercial operations into one service. - The separate consumer-facing station identities will be replaced by the Radio Jukebox brand. - The combined business currently operates nearly 100 internet radio channels. - The existing channels cover smooth jazz, oldies, classic rock, easy listening, country and other music formats. - The companies said the new listening experience is planned for early 2027.

The details: - The service is expected to organize live channels by genre, including Jazz Jukebox, Oldies Jukebox, Classic Rock Jukebox, Country Jukebox and Easy Listening Jukebox. - Visitors will be able to see which songs are playing across available streams and choose the channel carrying a song they want to hear. - The service will be live, programmed radio rather than on-demand song playback. - The companies said they plan to work with other streaming stations around the United States to expand the jukebox. - Company-reported figures put the current operation at more than 15 million streaming sessions and well over 1 million total listening hours annually. - Advertising will be a central part of the platform. - Radio Jukebox plans to aggregate inventory across the genre-based service, including audio pre-roll ads at stream starts and coordinated display placements in its web and app experiences. - The companies said a unified technology and sales platform should make the audience easier for advertisers to reach. - The reported annual session-start total is not a forecast of sellable impressions; actual inventory will depend on implementation, eligible listening sessions and contractual arrangements. - The companies have not disclosed financial terms of the combination.

Between the lines: - The deal reflects a broader push to package fragmented internet radio inventory into a more scalable ad product. - The new brand also shifts the product from station identities to music discovery, which could help standardize the listener experience across channels. - David Moss said the goal is to make music easier to discover and to create an advertising operation that can serve audiences across formats rather than sell each channel separately. - Doug Sinclair said the combination is intended to create something bigger than a collection of radio stations and give advertisers a more powerful way to reach audiences. - WebNetRadio was founded by Doug Sinclair and is known for smooth jazz programming, including Smooth Jazz Florida, which began broadcasting in 2013. - Thasis has operated since 2022 and runs music-format channels and syndicated programming through the Thasis Radio Network. - Thasis separately announced RadioForge last week, a portfolio of software and services for independent broadcasters.

What's next: - The companies expect to share more details about the rollout and the integration of existing channels before launch. - Radio Jukebox plans to seek outside funding and explore strategic partnerships to support technology development, network integration and expanded digital advertising capabilities. - Potential partners could include companies in digital audio, advertising technology and media distribution. - No financing arrangements or strategic partnerships are being announced now. - The new jukebox interface is expected to launch in early 2027 after the company announcement.

The bottom line: - Thasis and WebNetRadio are betting that one branded, genre-based platform can be easier to use for listeners and easier to sell for advertisers than dozens of separate stations.