Hope FM has built its own mobile app after finding external services weren’t within budget.
The Hope FM Player has been released for iOS and Android, bringing the Bournemouth based community station’s live stream, programme schedule, listen again shows, podcasts and downloads into one place.
The launch coincides with Hope FM’s 19th birthday and the start of its 20th year on air, and follows its recent addition to DAB.
Listeners can use the Hope FM Player to save programmes, continue listening across sessions, receive notifications when new content is added, and download episodes for offline playback.
Dan Withey, Station Manager at Hope FM, said: “With Hope FM Player, we’re making it easier than ever for listeners to engage with the station in a way that fits around their daily lives.”
The app also includes background audio playback, lock screen controls, AirPlay and Google Cast support, adjustable playback speeds and a sleep timer.
Gordon T, Chair of Trustees, said the app had been developed in house because buying an external solution was not within budget.
Gordon added: “I’m both amazed and incredibly proud that this entire app has been developed in-house.”
Hope FM Player also includes access to wider community resources, including the Hope FM Church Finder, with search access to more than 200 churches in the BCP area and more than 40,000 churches nationwide.
The app is available now on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
