BBC and Commercial Radio unveil new industry-wide RadioPlayer

The BBC and Commercial Radio have unveiled a new online radio player that allows users to listen to output from all UK radio stations.

The new UK Radioplayer, which will be launched early next year, is a pop-up console that will be open to stream more than 400 licensed national, local, community and student radio stations.

The live and on-demand radio service will let users search content by subject, musical style and even song title using a new search engine designed for radio.

Users will also be able to store their favourite stations on a pre-set button for easy access.

Each radio stations’ website will feature the player, which has a standard look and functionality that has been designed to encourage users to listen to new content.

Stations which sign up to the new service will also have the freedom to add extra material to their live streams, such as on-demand audio, click to buy music services, web-cams, track listings and adverts.

The Radioplayer will be made available to all Ofcom-licensed networks.  Initially, it will only be available through desktops, however, later versions are expected to be released for smartphones and other devices such as IPTVs.

All BBC radio services are expected to be included in the player.

The cross-sector digital project has been signed off by the BBC, RadioCentre, Global Radio and Guardian Media Group.

However, it is still subject to a consultation with the BBC Trust and RadioCentre board.

Tim Davie, director of BBC Audio & Music, said: “This is a really exciting development and a result of focused, collaborative thinking within the radio industry. The aim of this service is to grow listening across the industry and help preserve radio’s unique position.”

Andrew Harrison, chief executive of RadioCentre, added: “The Radioplayer brings together all of the UK’s radio output in one online console. This is a breakthrough for listeners and an attractive new proposition for advertisers.”