MONTREAL – Astral Radio will launch mobile streaming applications to extend the radio listener experience into the hand held space.
Provided by UBC Media Group’s Unique Interactive and international music house GrooveWorx, the mobile streaming applications will launch across the entire Astral Radio portfolio of 83 radio stations in early 2011.
Functionality will include the ability for users to enter contests, share events via the social network of their choice, stream on-demand content, and discover new music as well as tune in to direct live music streaming. The applications will also provide music discovery channels, exclusive music, entertainment and news content, real time song voting and recommendations, artist info, tour dates, links to purchase music tracks and the ability for a user to interact directly with on-air personalities and each other.
"We are thrilled to add mobility to our comprehensive interactive offerings," said Rob Farina, EVP of content and platforms, in the announcement. "These new mobile applications will allow us to deliver a rich digital content offering integrated with a deep social media platform. It will create an engaging and innovative experience that will enhance the value of our offering to consumers and advertisers. The rollout of these exciting applications will be a game-changer from a user experience standpoint across all our platforms."
The mobile streaming apps will be compatible with the iPhone4, Android-powered devices and RIM’s BlackBerry product line. The three-year agreement will also see UBC Media provide future evolutions of the applications that can easily dovetail with individual station formats and branding.
