All 350+ Australian AM, FM and DAB+ digital radio stations, including all commercial radio, ABC and SBS stations on the Radioapp aggregator platform are now available via voice command on Google Nest speakers and displays.
Just say “Hey Google, play..” and the name of the station or its frequency when you’re near a Google powered speaker or Display.
For example:
- “Hey Google, play Triple M”
- “Hey Google, play ABC Sydney from Radioapp”
- “Hey Google, play SBS Chill”
All Radioapp stations had already been available by voice command on Sonos and Amazon Echo speakers and displays.
Radioapp is not yet enabled via the Google Assistant voice command on phones, tablets or Chromebooks.
The partnership between industry body Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) and Google Australia has resulted in a simple, reliable and easy process for listeners to access live and local radio via Google Nest devices.
Joan Warner, Chief Executive Officer of CRA announced:
“We have been working hard in partnership with Google locally and globally for the past 18 months to ensure that all commercial radio stations and DAB+ digital stations are easily available on Google Nest speakers and displays. There is great value for radio audiences in being able to enjoy their favourite local radio station on these devices using a simple voice request. It’s also good news for advertisers looking to invest in audio, as the growth in smart speaker ownership, and radio’s presence on these devices, strengthens radio’s position and reach.”
According to the Infinite Dial Australia 2020 study released by Edison Research, 85% of Australians have an awareness of smart speakers. There has also been an increase in smart speaker ownership, with 17% of Australians owning a device in 2020, up from 13% in 2019 and a leap from the 5% recorded in 2018. The Edison Research study also showed that, of the smart speaker brands available in the country, 82% of smart speaker owners in Australia have Google Nest devices.
Mel Silva, Managing Director of Google Australia and New Zealand commented:
“This new integration of RadioApp on Google Nest devices gives listeners easier access to their preferred local radio stations and favourite radio personalities, all with a simple voice command. After many months of collaboration with CRA, it is great to see the results of our partnership become available for Australian radio listeners and Google Nest owners – and by making this radio content discoverable, it will provide incredible value for local radio stations and advertisers too.”
A promotional campaign highlighting this new functionality will roll out over the coming months through on-air promotion and radio commercials, as well as online promotion via content on radio station websites, display advertising and the RadioApp website. There will also be a selection of popular radio personalities acting as on-air ambassadors to promote the initiative.
The RadioApp on Google Nest devices initiative has been developed by Commercial Radio Australia in partnership with Google and leading radio mobile solutions provider All in Media (AIM), a division of Xperi, Inc.
Do you listen to live radio stations on your smart speaker already? What aggregator do you use eg: TuneIn, iHeartRadio, MyTuner, or something else? Tell us in the comments!
Where’s the best radio? Where’s community radio?
Community radio often has its own app and direct stream links you can use
Some community radio stations like Melbourne’s RRR are also available on aggregator platforms like TuneIn
nice
Good stuff …… bring it on !