TELECOM, MEDIA GIANTS FORM WIMAX JOINT VENTURE: Various sources are reporting today on a nearly-$15 billion WiMax joint-venture of some of the giants of the computer and telecommunications industries. The new company would build a nationwide wireless network for high-speed Internet access and cellphones. The WiMax network would cover areas far larger than Wi-Fi, and offer speeds up to five times as high. The venture includes Sprint Nextel, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Google, Intel Corp., and a Clearwire Corp., a WA-based start-up backed by cellphone entrepreneur Craig McCaw. The new venture will reportedly take the Clearwire name.

MICROSOFT TO DEVELOP IN-CAR MOBILE TECH FOR HYUNDAI-KIA: Microsoft has struck a software licensing deal with the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group to develop a range of “infotainment” options and new technology that could find its way into cars by 2010. The applications would include various mobile, entertainment, and navigation components. U.S. automaker Ford uses Microsoft software in its Sync in-car system.

HOW ABOUT 50 SIDE CHANNELS?: A technology company called Ludwig Enterprises says it has developed a new digital radio platform “that will allow transmission of 50 simultaneous channels“ of broadcast programming over a single existing FM radio signal. The company plans to roll out programming targeted to ethnic minorities in the U.S. in the top 50 markets, but add, “Discussions are in progress with content providers to program an opera channel, an educational channel, a meditation channel and more.”

OPRAH’S SITE A TEXTBOOK EXAMPLE OF PROMOTING ON-AIR ONLINE: If you need some inspiration on how to better use your website to recycle audience from day to day, Jacobs Media suggests looking at Oprah’s website. “Oprah and her team understand the importance of thinking big, drawing attention to what she has on today, but also keeping a focus on what’s coming up on the show tomorrow, and later in the week,” reads a recent entry to the JacoBlog. Fred Jacobs suggests that the growing influence of Arbitron’s Portable People Meter may force programmers to rely on their station sites to keep the audience “moving forward,” and Oprah’s “showbiz” is instructional on how to powerfully “tease” upcoming content.

WFUV BRINGS BACK FORDHAM GRAD FROM SIRIUS: Fordham University’s WFUV-FM/New York has hired Rich McLaughlin as Content Director for its new HD Radio music channel and Web stream. McLaughlin spent seven years at Sirius Satellite Radio developing, programming and hosting two Alternative rock channels Alt Nation and Left of Center. McLaughlin graduated from Fordham and worked at WFUV as an undergraduate.

RAIN SUMMIT RECAP: ANDOMEDIA: Bob Maccini, president of AndoMedia, says it’s his company’s intention “to become the standard for audience measurement in enabling the ad buying community to use one company to buy Internet radio.” AndoMedia provides ad-insertion and audience measurement services for its clients, which include broadcasters like CBS, Clear Channel, and Bonneville as well as more than 1,000 Internet stations like DigitallyImported and AccuRadio. He maintained that Internet radio remains largely an “at-work listening” medium, and that “60-second spots” are still the norm for ad-insertion clients. AndoMedia was a key sponsor of the RAIN Summit.

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