The online UK Radioplayer will commence a "phased roll out" in December, ahead of a full launch in February 2011.
Plans were announced at The Radio Festival this morning by Andrew Harrison, Chairman of Radioplayer and Chief Executive of RadioCentre.
Andrew was on stage alongside Tim Davie, Director of BBC Audio and Music, and Ashley Tabor, Founder and Global Group CEO, during the first main session of the annual event, now based in Salford Quays.
Radioplayer will feature at least 50 stations for its first phase in December, and at least 200 stations, including all major radio groups, all BBC stations, and Ofcom-regulated stations of all types and sizes, by February.
Delegates will be treated to a preview of the console this afternoon by Michael Hill, Managing Director of Radioplayer. He said: "We are delighted to be able to unveil Radioplayer to our radio industry colleagues today, and show them just how simple and intuitive listening online is with Radioplayer. This is a defining moment for UK radio and we hope all broadcast stations, of all sizes and types, will participate.”
Tim Davie, Director of BBC Audio and Music, said: “Radioplayer will deliver a simple, quality experience for users and provide a coherent online presence for UK radio stations. It is a result of genuine collaboration across the industry and is the sort of innovation we need to make digital radio a reality."
Andrew Harrison, Chairman of Radioplayer and Chief Executive, RadioCentre, added: “Radioplayer will create significant opportunities for the commercial radio sector, expanding the scope and availability of services and providing an excellent simple online platform, alongside DAB, for audiences and advertisers to discover more digital radio.”
There will be a full demonstration at 16.15 in the Digital World Centre.