Years after disabling the ability to submit new stations, TuneIn is reopening access to their platform with the launch of “TuneIn On Air“.
The new service, open only to broadcasters in the United States, charges $249 per quarter (just under a $1000 annually) to have a stream included in TuneIn’s directory. While TuneIn has not responded to our inquiry for more information, a FAQ sheet includes more details regarding the new program.
The subscription will include distribution of “one radio station across 200+ connected devices like smartphones, tablets, and smart speakers to TuneIn’s U.S. audience of 30M+ listeners.” TuneIn On Air subscribers will also gain access to their “Amplifier” data platform for stats on listening and engagement for their station as well as one subscription to TuneIn’s Premium service. Nonprofit organizations and academic institutions may request free access to the service.
There will be no additional promotion of paid subscribers in TuneIn’s listings outside of stations appearing under “Recents” or “Favorites” for those who recently listened or bookmarked said station. Like any other stream on the platform, TuneIn will not provide hosting, music licensing, or multi-station discounts, while all On Air subscribers will be geo-fenced and only available to users in the United States.
Some TuneIn users have told us that they have received introductory offers offering the On Air service for the first year at a 50% “introductory discount”.
INSTANT INSIGHT: While many will be up in arms about this, it is nice to see TuneIn finally opening up its platform again. This program seems directly mostly towards internet broadcasters who run a professional operation and have financial backing to afford $1000 a year to be listed. While iHeartRadio and Audacy each have some in that definition on their platforms, neither company is open with how to get listed or what they require to be added. TuneIn is at least being very open in terms of that.
TuneIn, the world’s leading live streaming audio service, today announced the release of TuneIn On Air, a new program that will provide emerging content creators, educational, and non-profit broadcasters in the United States with access to the same distribution tools as major broadcasters through the TuneIn platform.
TuneIn On Air was created to empower emerging content creators by providing them seamless access to digital distribution capabilities. Immediately upon joining TuneIn On Air, broadcasters will expand their reach to TuneIn’s 30 million United States-based listeners. This new offering is aligned with TuneIn’s commitment to reinvent radio for a connected world by bringing radio distribution into the digital age and realizing its promise of an open platform for everyone.
Additional key benefits and highlights of the program include:
Reach across TuneIn’s connected device and connected auto integrations: TuneIn On Air puts creators’ stations on TuneIn’s app and 200+ connected devices and auto partners which include: Tesla, Volvo, Sonos, Amazon, Samsung and others.
Access to key performance analytics: Creators will have access to Amplifier, TuneIn’s custom data platform, which offers comprehensive analytics on listening and engagement, so creators can optimize their station’s programming to best suit listeners’ tastes.
Dedicated support resources to manage operational updates and changes to their stations on the platform.
Because of TuneIn On Air, internet radio stations that were previously accessible only by website will now be accessible instantly through a simple voice command on a TuneIn supported kitchen smart speaker or in a car’s infotainment system –– no instructions or download required.“The radio and entertainment landscape are transforming rapidly. Our introduction of TuneIn On Air demonstrates how deeply committed we are to innovating around the needs of the broadcaster community, regardless of size,” said Jamie Silverstein, Senior Director of Strategy and Business Operations. “This offering represents TuneIn’s first foray into developing solutions for emerging content creators to put them on equal footing with major broadcasters across the United States.”
“One of our aims with the launch of TuneIn On Air is to re-energize college radio stations and independent broadcasters around the US by providing them with a simple and easy-to-use way to dramatically increase their distribution through digital audio,” said Andrew Bock, Chief Industry Evangelist at TuneIn. “College radio and independent broadcasters serve an important and irreplaceable role in their communities. Through the TuneIn On Air platform, we are giving these voices a clear path to expand and grow their audiences through digital distribution.”
TuneIn On Air will be offered at a cost of $249 USD per quarter for broadcasters and specific offerings at reduced rates to nonprofit organizations and academic institutions. For more information, please visit https://tunein.com/on-air/ or follow TuneIn on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
