There are two ways for a radio station to go.
One way is to serve it's community with local content tailored to serve their local communties.
The second is to provide large scale national programming tailored to a broader audience. An example of this type of programming is Ryan Seacrest who has been able to nationalize his radio program. It will take a special program to transcend locally, but nationally known figures like Seacrest, Adam Carolla, and the like have the best shot. While Adam Corolla didn't work out, I believe the concept has merit. It's already working in reverse for radio personalities like Sean Hannity, Dave Ramsey and Glen Beck have taken their branding to national television.
I believe Clear Channel is creating nationally branded entertainment shows to place in their vast local markets. This would be similar to television's network programming and affiliates. It allows them to push well recognized brands at the local level, not to mention the great power of monetizing nationally syndicated radio programming that reaches the majority of the US population. It could be quite attractive to a national advertiser to think that placing a flight with Clear Channel would reach a true national audience. Clear Channel nationally could enter into agreements with other radio companies to clear programming and inventory in markets not covered by Clear Channel.
They probably won't take all their stations national, at least right away, but I think we are seeing the start of it now. It saves the Clear Channel local markets great expense operationally and I hope they do it.
For all you non-Clear Channel stations. Local, compelling, content is your future. I'll write my thoughts on local radio and what I think we should be doing in the days to come.