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Business News Deals Media
7digital partners with Access to help broadcasters expand their in-car services
By Chris Cooke | Published on Friday 29 March 2019
B2B digital music and radio services company 7digital has announced a partnership with Access – a business with net-connected in-car entertainment expertise – to offer a new service to the radio sector.
The two firms note that, as more and more drivers start to access online entertainment while in the car, “traditional broadcast radio providers will need to keep pace with the expectations of always-on drivers and passengers”. 7digital and Access reckon that their alliance will “help the radio industry manage this transition seamlessly by delivering a platform that enables IP radio to integrate with existing broadcast services and evolve into new connected services”. And doesn’t that sound like fun?
Specifics that will be made available to broadcasters via the 7digital/Access partnership include the ability to offer ‘listen again’ programming and on-demand podcasts, as well as targeted recommendations and advertising.
Announcing the tie-up, soon-to-depart 7digital CEO Simon Cole said: “In-car listening has always been central to the health of the radio industry. As we move to an environment where the connected car allows access to a world of content outside broadcast, there is a clear opportunity for radio to take advantage of its central position on the dashboard”.
“Whether it is curating songs from the radio into playlists or providing listen-again services on the go”, he went on, “the connected car will be one of the most dynamic media environments and we are THRILLED to be working with Access on its development”.
The boss of Access Europe, Neale Foster, added: “Digital entertainment services are offering consumers expertly curated entertainment experiences to enhance brand engagement. The radio industry needs to follow suit as it starts to embrace connected technologies. Through our partnership with 7digital, we’re putting radio back at the heart of in-car entertainment and fostering a platform for innovation ahead of the driverless car revolution”.
