Official launch for Radioplayer

For the first time, commercial radio and the BBC have joined together to launch an online radio player designed to promote the benefits of listening to the radio online.

UK Radioplayer initially includes around 150 stations but more will follow in the coming weeks.

The service became available yesterday afternoon but at the official launch this morning, Michael Hill, Managing Director, UK Radioplayer Ltd, says: "Radioplayer represents a united industry investment in its digital future. Over the next few weeks Radioplayer is set to expand rapidly, offering consumer choice across hundreds of stations and thousands of programmes. That choice could soon extend to platforms including mobiles, tablets, connected TVs and hybrid radios."

A new front-end website is now available at radioplayer.co.uk and features various ways to search for content either by station name, location or music tastes.

[blockquote]Radioplayer is a not for profit company founded by the BBC, Global Radio, Guardian Media Group, Absolute Radio and RadioCentre to serve radio and its audiences by making listening easy.[/blockquote]

From April 5th, more stations, including those owned by UTV Radio will appear. Live radio and hundreds of hours of on-demand content including interviews with some of the biggest names in sport will be added thanks to the talkSPORT archives.

Scott Taunton, Managing Director of UTV Media (GB), said: “UTV has backed Radioplayer since day one. Its user-friendly design transforms the experience of listening to radio online, and provides a fitting showcase for our must-listen sport and local radio content. Today's launch is just the beginning, and we look forward to working with our colleagues across the industry to explore where Radioplayer goes next.”