Public Radio Exchange

Feeling the Love from iPhone Users

Rekha posted on Friday, May 8th, 2009 | Press Releases

Here at PRX, we’re all about spreading public radio far and wide. Well, we really did it this time.

This release went out this morning:

With 1.5 Million Downloads, Public Radio Feels the Love From iPhone Users
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Just 17 weeks after launch, the Public Radio Tuner application for the iPhone has been downloaded more than 1.5 million times. Thanks to the iPhone community’s enthusiasm, the Tuner cracked the top 10 free music apps soon after launch, and has been the top free app on all of iTunes.

Learn more at http://www.publicradiotuner.org.

The Public Radio Tuner comes from a unique collaboration of major public radio organizations:

• American Public Media (APM)
• National Public Radio (NPR)
• Public Radio Exchange (PRX)
• Public Interactive (PI)
• Public Radio International (PRI)

The project is led by Public Radio Exchange (http://www.prx.org) and supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

“The Public Radio Tuner has clearly struck a chord with iPhone users,” says PRX Executive Director Jake Shapiro. “The app is expanding the audience for local public radio stations and national programs, and is a great example of a successful collaboration and innovation in public media.”

For the Public Radio Tuner project, CPB and the collaborators have brought together the collective talents and resources of the public radio system to reach existing listeners on a state-of-the-art platform while attracting new listeners, too.

Stations across the United States value their presence in the app. “The Public Radio Tuner helps us expand our reach into areas of Georgia that aren’t covered by our airwaves. It fits into GPB’s overall goal of expanding its reach through new technologies.” — Susanna Capelouto, News Director, Georgia Public Broadcasting

The Public Radio Tuner allows anyone with an iPhone or iPod Touch to listen to more than 300 U.S. station streams. It has the features iPhone users expect from any “tuner” application — search, a favorites list, and fast loading times. What sets this Tuner apart is a listening experience custom-made for public radio’s high-quality, diverse content. Listeners can hear their stations’ broadcasts of their favorite shows, from “This American Life” to “Morning Edition”, along with local news and music. With over 800 public and community radio stations in the United States, new streams are added all the time.

Coming up in June 2009: The Public Radio Player, with a program guide, enhanced search, and on-demand content. Additional mobile platforms, such as Google’s Android, RIM’s BlackBerry, and the Palm Pre, are under consideration.

Learn more at http://www.publicradiotuner.org.

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