The BBC has launched ‘iPlayer Radio’ as part of an overhaul of its online audio content, splitting it from its TV content.
The new service will see audio content taken out of the existing BBC iPlayer and instead offered as part of a separate service on desktop and mobile.
The service will highlight snippets from BBC output, including associated video content.
An iPhone app is to be launched soon – however apps for other devices, such as Google’s Android, are not yet ready.
The iPhone app, expected to become available later on Monday, also features a built-in alarm clock.
The BBC’s Daniel Danker, general manager for programmes and on-demand, blamed complications with Flash for the delay in the Android app, but added that discussions are ongoing to resolve the problems.
Danker said other mobile platforms, such as Windows Phone and Blackberry, were not having apps developed.
The new app will mean users will need to download separate iPlayer apps in order to access either television or radio content.
Danker said this was necessary in order to create apps tailored specifically to type of content being consumed.
There are currently no plans to offer the app to international listeners.
From 13:00 BST on Monday, visitors to the BBC’s radio section will be directed to the new service.
“BBC iPlayer Radio is the platform on which we will develop radio stations as fully multimedia brands so that as well as listen, audiences will be able to watch, share and engage with BBC radio,” said Mark Friend, controller of multiplatform and interactive for the BBC’s Audio & Music division.
“Our next steps will be to make live radio more interactive, make it easier for people to enjoy the BBC’s vast audio archive and strengthen radio’s position as the number one place for discovering music in the UK.”
The service will incorporate video material as well as social media content from DJs and programme teams.
However, neither the desktop nor mobile service offer the ability to watch content without an internet connection.
The BBC app will come into competition with the recently launched UK Radioplayer app.
Watch a demonstration of how the service works below:
Read the official blog here
