This is a classic case of power in numbers. Separately, these companies are not going to be able to compete in the online world with Clear Channel's iHeartRadio, CBS Radio's Radio.com, or Pandora. But, by throwing in with an already established streaming portal like TuneIn, they increase their digital footprint in a big way.
Michael Wright, Senior Vice President for Midwest Communications said, "At Midwest Communications, Inc., we’ve received numerous requests from our radio brands’ listeners asking how they can listen to our content via mobile phone streaming. Our new alliance with TuneIn allows us to give our listeners exactly what they want, their favorite personalities and music, whenever they want, wherever they want. TuneIn gives Midwest Communications, Inc. another way to super serve and grow our audience."
"By placing our stations on TuneIn, our company gains access to an additional distribution platform and the accompanying opportunity to engage a new group of listeners located literally around the world," said Caroline Beasley, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer for Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc.
Several other larger companies have recently aligned with TuneIn including Cox Media Group, Emmis Communications, and Entercom Communications. Cox runs 86 radio stations, Emmis operates 20, and Entercom has 111 properties in its portfolio.
If You Build it, They Will Listen
If you can't build a better mousetrap, then become friends with the guy who owns a good one. The play for Internet listeners is becoming a war and every radio company needs their own app or room on one.
TuneIn is a free service now offering more than 60,000 AM, FM, HD, and Internet radio stations plus over two million on-demand programs. For more information on apps and listening options, visit TuneIn.com.
