The American organization, American Association of Retired Persons, AARP, has launched a free online radio service with Concord Music Group.

AARP equipped this service for listeners over 50 (the "Woodstock Generation") with 18 channels, programmed by Concord Music Group, a company that also released music by Paul Simon. The 18 channels combined offer a selection of 500 songs to listen and also has a channel called "Modern Hits" with music by Kate Perry and Kelly Clarkson. De (humorous) description reads: "You heard on these hits on the radio or at a friend's house."

AARP’s goal is to introduce online music to this generation. It’s obvious that there is an increasing shift in the music business from the traditional ways of distribution of copyrighted works (such as selling CDs) towards digital distribution of creative products. AARP points out that the baby-boom-generation has always been very passionate about music. 

People of 36 and older are responsible for about 60% of the revenue from CD sales. The current digital music domain with its downloading, streaming and promotion of music through the internet (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook), plays an import role in the music scene. The developers of the new service noticed the older audience might be frustrated by the digital music experience. To remedy this, there now is a simple music player with only the buttons Play, Pause and 'Forward'.

And what about the artists? Is there enough opportunity for them to earn money? And for the AARP and Concord? The answer is yes. The copyright holders such as writers and artists and / or their representatives of AARP receive royalty fees in exchange for a license and AARP can offer this service for free. AARP itself again generates revenue through advertising on the website. AARP and Concord share the profits.

Reference: Hollywoodreporter.com