It's now been reported that AOL plays to launch a Voice over IP service for its IM users. As part of our Media Titans research, Mike and I have been boldly commenting for 18 months that Instant Messaging is the most powerful legitimate P2P network anywhere. It can be used to share pictures, files, movies, TV programs, music, etc.. It’s a platform for multi-player games, and, of course Voice over IP. Should telcos be scared? IM networks are global and have in excess of 100 million registered users? You figure it out.

Given IM networks are closed (for the most part—some companies are working on systems that tie users together), MSN, Yahoo! and AOL are in the catbird’s seat here. If Google is the play in this space (and if so, they’d better get moving), they will be playing catch up. Think IM networks are a good place to “do search?” You betcha

Hurray for Virgin Radio. They get it (as does the BBC, as we mentioned in our MADCast yesterday) in terms of new distribution channels. Virgin will begin Podcasting. Here is a missive from Virgin’s head of new media for the radio division.

Tomorrow, Virgin Radio will become the first UK radio station to
offer a podcast of a daily show.

Every weekday, you can download the best of Pete and Geoff on the
Virgin Radio Breakfast Show, direct to your media player. So now, you
can enjoy Pete and Geoff at lunchtime, on the tube, or while driving
home - the very best of Pete and Geoff whenever you like. Think of it
as Sky+ for the internet, except in your pocket, and nothing to do
with telly.

What on earth is going on with U.S. radio stations (other than a few public stations and thought leaders such as KOMO in Seattle)? Is it advertising accountability? Is it concern that there aren’t enough media players out there? I’d sure like to know. I sense it's just plain inertia.

The XML feed for Virgin's Podcast is:
http://www.virginradio.co.uk/thestation/podcasts/index.html