Australian radio listeners will be able to tap into 250 Australian radio stations via their mobile phones after the launch today of RadioApp, a venture spearheaded by industry body Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) .
Built in association with app developer All In Media, the app brings together stations from all the major players including ABC, SBS, SCA, Nova and ARN. Users can swipe, much like Tinder, to select a station, or use a drop-down. Listeners can also view a list of recently played songs and share what they’re listening to with friends. users can also search by town, meaning that they can tune in to local news wherever they are.
“RadioApp is the best way to stream radio on your smartphone because it puts commercial AM, FM and DAB+ digital radio stations as well as ABC and SBS stations all into one place,” said CRA chief executive officer Joan Warner. “It’s about setting commercial rivalries aside and putting the consumer experience first.”
More features will be built into the app in future stages, including the ability to subscribe to podcasts. CRA board member and Southern Cross Austereo CEO Grant Blackley said: “What’s in the marketplace at the moment is a very scattered view, with different technology and different apps across different platforms. This brings it all together and makes it easy for the listener, and that’s going to benefit the industry.”
Australia's RadioApp has been a long time coming. The UK version - RadioPlayer - went live in early March 2011 and contained 157 stations at launch.
Email Nicola at nicolariches@yaffa.com.au.