NZME unveils new and improved iheartRadio app delivering next-generation features

New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) has today released its next-generation iHeartRadio app, redesigned with industry-first mobile features for New Zealand listeners including preset options for stations, podcasts and playlists, access to trending content, radio dial and scan features, and the ability to access lyrics while listening to songs on live radio.

Drawing from extensive user research and feedback from listeners, the redesigned app is iHeartRadio New Zealand's most significant product update and adopts the ease and simplicity listeners are used to with broadcast radio in the car, bridging the gap between the traditional radio experience and mobile streaming.

Jason Winstanley, NZME Chief Audio Officer, says NZME is committed to delivering a seamless and simplified radio listening experience tailored to the changing needs of its audiences nationwide.

“We reach millions of New Zealanders through NZME’s network of iconic radio brands including Newstalk ZB, ZM, The Hits, Radio Hauraki, Flava and Coast. That day-to-day relationship with so many listeners has provided the unique insights and feedback used in developing this next-generation app experience. Listeners have made it clear they want a streaming audio platform that's intuitive and familiar, reflecting the simplicity of the car radio while embracing the full capabilities of streaming technology. We’re pleased to be delivering an upgraded product we know they’ll love.”

The updated app design combines familiar features from the car radio with innovative digital technology enhancements, including:

1. Presets: in a New Zealand audio-industry first and drawing inspiration directly from the car dashboard, custom presets allow listeners to save up to 15 of their favourite radio stations, playlists, podcasts and artist radio stations to their app homepage, making it easier than ever to return to the content they love most.
2. Live radio dial with scan functionality: listeners can now discover new stations with a scan function, sampling radio stations nationwide, filtering by city or genre. It's a new way for app users to navigate NZME’s broadcast radio dial, ensuring their favourite stations are never out of reach and recreating the spontaneity and fun of tuning the car radio, now on the phone.
3. Trending rankers: listeners have access to an innovative discovery feature allowing them to see what's trending among other listeners across NZME radio stations as well as Top Podcasts, Top Playlists, and Top Artist Radio stations.
4. Lyrics: the most requested new feature, iHeartRadio New Zealand is now the only digital audio app offering lyrics for the song users are listening to on live digital radio, allowing them to follow lyrics karaoke-style on Artist Radio stations and playlists.

Sarah Catran, NZME Head of Digital Audio says: "The new iHeart app further underscores NZME's mission to connect New Zealanders through the power of audio. This experience blends the familiarity of the car radio with digital innovation to enable users to easily tap to play the stations, artists and podcasts they know and love, fostering the fun, spontaneous discovery and connection that comes with live radio – all through their phones, anywhere they go."

The new iHeart app is available now to all listeners on Android and iOS.

ENDS