The BBC and commercial radio have joined forces to create a single website called ‘Radioplayer’ which currently offers users access to all ca.250 UK radio stations’ output.
Radioplayer launched 31st March 2011 allowing listeners to access live streaming and on-demand content from hundreds of different radio stations in one place for the first time. All of the BBC's local and national stations, as well as about 140 commercial broadcasters, are available on the service from launch.
Radioplayer, embedded onto each radio station's website as a pop-up player, is initially only available through computers, enabling live and on demand audio streaming, webcams and click to buy service. It will also offer synchronised visual material. Search will be possible by song, sports highlights and musical genres, with storable favourite presets. Mobile applications for the iPhone and iPad are expected to follow by the end of this year.
Radioplayer could have positive implications for advertisers. Not only will it facilitate listening, but it could enable multimedia, cross-promotional and transactional activity.
Shortly after its launch, Radioplayer attracted 5.7 million unique users over a four-week period, generating 22.5 million listening sessions. Total listening hours have been boosted by a 52% increase in the number of stations included on the service since it formed, from 157 to 238 stations.
Before the Radioplayer's launch on 31 March, internet radio attracted around 4.5 million listeners a week. The industry hopes presenting the majority of UK radio in one place, with the same search interface apparent across all individual stations’ sites, will provide a significant boost to internet listening.