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New UK Radioplayer to stream over 400 national and local radio stations

Posted: 19/11/09 By: Judith Townend

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More than 400 national, local and community radio stations are to be streamed by a new online radio player, in an initiative involving the BBC, Guardian Media Group and Global Radio.

The new UK Radioplayer, a pop-up console for desktop computers, will allow users to search radio news and music content by subject, style, or song title, the BBC announced in a release.

Heads of Terms for the project, which will be made available to all Ofcom-licensed networks, have been signed by the BBC, RadioCentre, Global Radio and GMG.

Additional features include the option to store favourite stations and use webcam, weather, and click-to-buy music services.

Mobile and IPTV versions are in the pipeline, the BBC 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," said Tim Davie, director of BBC audio and music.

It is a collaborative project that reflects the industry's commitment to an improved user experience for radio online as IP enabled devices proliferate," added Stuart Taylor, chief executive, GMG Radio.

"The new opportunities for advertisers will add to the growing number of cross platform solutions already in place."

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