Clear Channel to Take Apart Internet Division

Radio and live-concert giant Clear Channel Communications is dismantling its Los Angeles-based Internet division and is expected to fire dozens of employees in the next two months. The San Antonio-based conglomerate said it will reorganize its online operations to let the radio and concert divisions run their own Web sites.

Meanwhile, MTVi, the Internet division of Viacom Inc.’s MTV, shut down the online radio stations at its Sonicnet site, eliminating one of the last online sources of radio customized to match listeners’ tastes. Spokeswoman Lauren Hackett said the move, which will not result in layoffs, was made to concentrate the company’s radio-programming resources on the stations at MTV.com, VH1.com and Country.com.