The BBC and Commercial Radio today unveiled a new online radio player that aims to offer the output of every licensed UK radio station.

Users will be able to listen to over 400 licensed national, local, community and student radio stations, including all Asian radio stations that carry an Ofcom license.

UK stations such as BBC Asian Network, Sunrise Radio, Panjab Radio, Buzz Asia will all feature on the Radioplayer service offering a unique, constantly-updated live and on-demand audio service.

It allows listeners to search every station on the UK Radioplayer network, identifying news programmes, sports highlights, musical genres or even individual songs, using a revolutionary new search engine designed for radio. Users can store their favourite stations on pre-set buttons, for easy access.

Stations which choose to join the Radioplayer will have the freedom to accompany their live streams with additional material of their choice – on-demand audio, click-to-buy music services, webcams, track listings, adverts or the weather, for example.

Announcing the plans today, senior figures from across the industry commented:

Tim Davie, Director of BBC Audio & Music, said: "This is a really exciting development and a result of focussed, collaborative thinking within the radio industry. The aim of this service is to grow listening across the industry and help preserve radio’s unique position."

Ashley Tabor, Global Group Founder and CEO, said: "Radioplayer has been developed with the listener in mind and is a big step forward for the radio industry as a whole, providing further cohesion between commercial radio and the BBC as we drive to Digital."

Andrew Harrison, Chief Executive, RadioCentre, said: "The Radioplayer brings together all of the UK’s radio output in one online console. This is a breakthrough for listeners and an attractive new proposition for advertisers."

Stuart Taylor, Chief Executive, GMG Radio, said: "This collaborative project reflects the industry`s commitment to an improved user experience for radio online as IP enabled devices proliferate. The new opportunities for advertisers will add to the growing number of cross platform solutions already in place."

The UK Radioplayer is due for launch early 2010.

Related link:
BBC and commercial radio to join forces