BBC launch iPlayer Radio for audio services

BBC iPlayer Radio is a new dedicated home for beeb radio available across multiple platforms.

The new service includes a smartphone app iOS with Android to follow soon, is according to the corporation able to “transform your access to BBC radio programmes.” The BBC suggest you can set the alarm and wake up with your favourite DJ or programme, spin through the touchscreen dial and listen live to the whole range of BBC Radio stations, swipe to reveal on-demand catch-up content and videos on every station page as well as set reminders so programmes are not missed and share tracks being broadcast with friends.

Mark Friend, Controller, Multiplatform and Interactive, BBC Audio & Music, said: “BBC iPlayer Radio is the platform on which we will develop radio stations as fully multimedia brands so that as well as listen, audiences will be able to watch, share and engage with BBC radio. Our next steps will be to make live radio more interactive, make it easier for people to enjoy the BBC’s vast audio archive and strengthen radio’s position as the number one place for discovering music in the UK.”

BBC iPlayer Radio also brings the on-demand experience of iPlayer together with new homepages for BBC radio stations, into one dedicated radio platform, making it even easier to listen to live, catch-up and archive content across devices the beeb state.

Daniel Danker, General Manager, Programmes and On-Demand for the BBC, said: “BBC iPlayer Radio is radio for an audience that expects to access our content anywhere: now you truly can take BBC Radio with you wherever you go.

“It’s also radio for an audience that wants greater choice and control. They want to listen again when they choose, to personalise their listening experience, to share tracks they’ve discovered with friends. BBC iPlayer Radio delivers all of these things, in a simple, consistent, easy to navigate way. At the heart of it is the BBC’s quality radio programmes, and iPlayer Radio sets those programmes free like never before.”

BBC radio listening across mobile and tablet devices has risen significantly over the past 12 months, which the corporation say is reflecting the growing audience demand for access to content anywhere. Year-on-year, monthly iPlayer requests for radio have increased 56% to 2.8m on mobile, and 300% to 1.2m on tablet.