Apple and Clear Channel communications are coming together to introduce digital tagging for digital radio manufacturers. The hope is that by tagging the individual songs played over HD radio, listeners will purchase the music later through the iTunes store.

The concept is quite brilliant, and somewhat similar to what Apple is already doing with Starbucks. After purchasing a HD Radio capable of picking up these tagged songs, the listener can press a button to save the song information. Later when you sync your ipod, these songs will appear in your iTunes shopping cart so you may purchase them. It still unclear how the information gets from your radio to your ipod, unless its an OEM stereo designed to work with the iPod.

This concept will allow radio manufacturers and radio stations a fighting chance to compete with the growing MP3 player market. The broadcasters, would also see a percentage of the songs sold through this method.

It would be great if they could extend this method to Internet Radio stations as well. With the way that they have been struggling in the last years, it might give them a fighting chance as well.