RTÉ and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland have done a deal with Radioplayer Worldwide to licence the Radioplayer service in Ireland.
Radioplayer started life in the UK and is the online platform used by the majority of Independent and BBC radio stations. It’s coming to Ireland in December for an initial three year term.
It puts all 43 radio stations in a single app for streaming content on smartphones. [correction from earlier – no desktop version is planned] [update 2 – app now available here]
John Purcell, Chairman of the IBI said: “Since its invention radio has been a flexible and adaptable medium. In recent years we have seen a huge increase in the amount of ways that people can listen to radio and the Radioplayer is the latest milestone in the evolution of radio. The introduction of the Radioplayer to Irish audiences marks another step in the growing partnership between RTÉ and the independent radio broadcasters and it will ensure that radio remains relevant in all our lives.”
“This is a big step forward by our mature industry; bringing simplicity and variety to digital listeners on a strong, robust platform with tons of potential”, says JP Coakley, Director of Operations, RTÉ Radio.
“We’re really pleased to have reached an agreement with the Irish radio industry to licence the technology”, said Simon Blackmore, Managing Director of Radioplayer Worldwide, adding, “This now means we have four territories outside of the UK using Radioplayer, which clearly demonstrates that broadcasters working together in a territory is a vital part of the future of radio”.