Apple isn’t the only streaming music player to boast a traditional radio element: Rdio has introduced nearly 500 broadcast radio stations into its US offering, driven by US-based network Cumulus.
Popular stations that will now be featured on Rdio include Indianapolis’s 93.9 The Beat, LA’s 95.5 KLOS, Nashville’s 95-5 NASH Icon, New York’s NASH FM 94.7, San Francisco’s KFOG and more.
Additional radio stations will launch later this year in the US and in a number of other international markets.
When listeners hear a song on these stations via Rdio, they can mark the song as a favorite, share it, start a custom station based on the song or view more music by the artist.
The news comes two years after Cumulus acquired an ownership stake in Rdio – initially as a way to jointly sell advertising across traditional and streaming platforms.
Rdio, which is yet to confirm solid user numbers, offers streaming across more than 35 million songs in 85 countries.
The company recently launched Rdio Select, a mid-priced streaming option that allows users to save up to 25 tracks per day for offline listening for $3.99 a month.
“Broadcast radio brands and talent continue to be the dominant tastemakers in music.”
Anthony Bay, Rdio
“We are committed to providing Rdio customers around the world with easy access to the audio content they want to hear through innovative features that enhance listening,” said Anthony Bay, CEO of Rdio.
“Broadcast radio brands and talent continue to be the dominant tastemakers in music, so integrating live broadcast radio into Rdio’s critically acclaimed customer experience is an exciting development that we are thrilled to introduce.”
“Bringing our national platform of stations to Rdio allows us to instantly create broader access for our listeners and new opportunities for advertisers to reach their target audiences,” said Lew Dickey, CEO of Cumulus.
“The combination of our premier broadcast assets with Rdio’s acclaimed user experience and music discovery features creates a full-service listening experience that is unparalleled.”
Rdio’s new live broadcast radio programming includes sports content from local stations as well as through Westwood One, the US national audio content platform.
Rdio says it will roll out new features to enhance sports content on the platform, which includes: 24/7 stations focused on major events such as NCAA March Madness, The Masters Golf Tournament and The Kentucky Derby, and on-demand access to popular Westwood One sports shows, including the The Jim Rome Show, Tiki & Tierney and The Doug Gottlieb Show.Music Business Worldwide
