Cingular launch Rowdy

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Cingular launched Rowdy", a on-demand audio entertainment service that delivers news, interviews, and unique insight from the world of stock car racing directly to the wireless handset. With the feel of a radio show and many of the features of a podcast, Rowdy gives fans easy and immediate access to their favorite sport and offers insight from experts like former driver Rick Mast, former crew chief Barry Dodson, and award-winning reporters Mark Garrow and David Poole.

Rowdy delivers racing content in an informal, fan-centric format developed after extensive testing with race fans. The show is updated daily, with a five-to-six minute newscast followed by other racing features, such as driver interviews, expert commentary, racing trivia, statistics, and stories from the old days. Subscribers also become part of the broadcast team by leaving their comments to be aired on later shows.

While it feels a lot like radio, Rowdy has some important differences. The program is available on-demand to listeners, at the time and place of their choosing. And Rowdy is navigable: users have the option of skipping forward and backwards, as well as hearing older shows they may have missed or want to hear again. Rowdy also works on any handset, allowing Cingular customers to sign up, without changing phones or plans. As part of the service, subscribers also get a free Rowdy text alert, telling them what is on the show for the day.

Rowdy is another example of motorsports content that Cingular offers its customers. Earlier, Cingular launched its MEdia Net Racing Portal, a wireless hub for in-depth information, including top stories from around motorsports, pre- and post- race reports, real-time statistical information on in-race leaderboards and individual driver news. The Racing Portal also features exclusive video packages provided by Burton and members of the TEAM Cingular crew that are delivered through its Cingular Video service.

Rowdy is created in partnership with Labrador, which conceived of the program and produces the daily show. The show is hosted by Reginald "Buck" Fever and Leonard "Bass" Masters, two die-hard race fans with a sense of humor and a deep knowledge of the racing world. Delivering the news from a fan's point of view, Buck and Bass turn to tried and true experts, like Mast, Dodson, Poole, and Garrow, for insight, commentary, and answers to questions any fan would have.