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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| UK radio pushes online listening | UK radio pushes online listening |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Many of the UK's biggest radio broadcasters have joined forces to launch a system for listening to their stations over the internet. | Many of the UK's biggest radio broadcasters have joined forces to launch a system for listening to their stations over the internet. |
| UK Radioplayer brings together commercial outlets alongside BBC stations in an attempt to boost online listening. | UK Radioplayer brings together commercial outlets alongside BBC stations in an attempt to boost online listening. |
| Only 3% of people access radio via the web and growth has been sluggish. | Only 3% of people access radio via the web and growth has been sluggish. |
| Although broadcasters will now use the same interface, they are free to customise it and include advertising. | Although broadcasters will now use the same interface, they are free to customise it and include advertising. |
| Among the radio groups supporting the project are Global, GMG, Bauer Media and UTV Radio, as well as the BBC. | Among the radio groups supporting the project are Global, GMG, Bauer Media and UTV Radio, as well as the BBC. |
| Tim Davie, director of audio and music at the BBC, welcomed the move, but conceded it was perhaps overdue. | Tim Davie, director of audio and music at the BBC, welcomed the move, but conceded it was perhaps overdue. |
| "It is true that, to a certain extent, the radio industry has lacked the level of innovation of television," he said. | "It is true that, to a certain extent, the radio industry has lacked the level of innovation of television," he said. |
| Mr Davie suggested that the launch of UK Radioplayer, along with a BBC trial of high bitrate HD radio, indicated a renewed determination to innovate. | Mr Davie suggested that the launch of UK Radioplayer, along with a BBC trial of high bitrate HD radio, indicated a renewed determination to innovate. |
| No guarantee of quality | No guarantee of quality |
| The UK Radioplayer is intended to offer some consistency to users, with all players having the same basic controls, search function and favourites option. | The UK Radioplayer is intended to offer some consistency to users, with all players having the same basic controls, search function and favourites option. |
| However the system does not guarantee that all radio stations will provide the same quality of audio stream. | However the system does not guarantee that all radio stations will provide the same quality of audio stream. |
| Broadcasters remain free to chose lower or higher bitrates, said Michael Hill, managing director of Radioplayer Ltd. | Broadcasters remain free to chose lower or higher bitrates, said Michael Hill, managing director of Radioplayer Ltd. |
| He told BBC News: "We wanted to leave it to stations to chose their own bitrate. That is the way for small stations to keep their costs down." | He told BBC News: "We wanted to leave it to stations to chose their own bitrate. That is the way for small stations to keep their costs down." |
| At launch, the Radioplayer will only work on devices that are capable of running Adobe's Flash platform. That includes most personal computers and some mobile phones and tablets. | At launch, the Radioplayer will only work on devices that are capable of running Adobe's Flash platform. That includes most personal computers and some mobile phones and tablets. |
| A version capable of running on Apple devices will follow shortly, said Mr Hill. | A version capable of running on Apple devices will follow shortly, said Mr Hill. |
| UK Radioplayer has been broadly welcomed, even by those who have previously voiced scepticism about industry's digital strategy. | |
| William Rogers, chief executive of radio group UKRD, is a critic of the DAB system. He believes that internet broadcasting may be a better way to progress. | |
| "This will improve the online offering of radio and undoubtedly assist listening. | |
| "I do not think it will be a panacea," he said. "But it is a step in the right direction." |