iHeartRadio launches in Australia

Back in October, ARN announced they would be launching iHeartRadio sometime this year (see here).

Today the network have officially launched Clear Channel’s digital radio service in Australia, to compete with the other radio run services Rdio (dmg) and Songl (SCA), as well as Pandora, Spotify and others.

The service is in beta in Australia, and only available on the web until September, when the full service, including mobile, will launch in Australia and New Zealand.

Since its launch in 2011 at the inaugural iHeartRadio Music Festival, iHeartRadio is now a leading digital radio service in the US.

iHeartRadio gives access to live broadcast and digital-only radio stations, plus user-created Custom Stations.

ARN stations will also join the iHeartRadio platform.

ARN CEO Ciaran Davis says:

“iHeartRadio combines the best of radio and digital, bringing together radio’s live and local relationships and the personal functionality of digital. We are leading the radio industry into its next era and are excited to be providing this unique digital service to the Australian public for the first time.”

Kate Beddoe, ARN’s National Director for iHeartRadio, says:

“iHeartRadio delivers everything listeners want in one free, easy to use service. The product offers access to hundreds of live radio stations and the ability to easily create your own customised radio stations based on your favourite artist, song or even what mood you are in."

The facts about iHeartRadio from the ARN press release:

• iHeartRadio combines live radio listening with custom stations & ‘perfect for’ functionality
• iHeartRadio has more than 60 million monthly users in the USA alone
• iHeartRadio reached 30 million registered users faster than Facebook, Twitter, Pandora or Spotify
• iHeartRadio apps have been downloaded 180 million times
• Australia and New Zealand are the first expansion territories from the US for iHeartRadio.

Beginning today, the beta web version of iHeartRadio is available in Australia here.

Some of the beta functionality include live streaming of Australian radio stations, the ability to custom build stations, over 850 'Perfect For' stations, iHeartRadio Talk and other exclusive content.