Clear Channel Communications is in talks with Yahoo, Microsoft and Apple in an attempt to expand its reach to online listeners, according to Reuters (via MediaBuyerPlanner). Distribution deals with iTunes or Yahoo, or both, could happen as early as 2006, said Clear Channel Radio chief executive John Hogan at the Reuter's Media and Advertising Summit earlier this week.

The move is part of Clear Channel's initiative to remake itself as a digital radio company.

Clear Channel said earlier this fall that it expects 95 percent of its 1200 radio stations to be digital by 2007. But the speed of digital adoption may be hampered by a lack of digital receivers on the market.