MediaCorp Radio launches the world's first Chinese language Visual Radio service

MediaCorp Radio announced that it is the first broadcaster in the world to launch Visual Radio with a Chinese language radio station. With close to a million listeners weekly, Singapore’s No. 1 hit music station Y.E.S. 93.3FM is the first Chinese language radio station in the world to be made available on Visual Radio.

Developed by Nokia and offered by Hewlett-Packard (HP), Visual Radio adds a new dimension to FM radio with interactive content and services for mobile radio listeners, increasing listener loyalty for radio station operators while providing an opportunity to increase data services usage for mobile operators.

In conjunction with the launch of Y.E.S. 93.3FM, HP has also integrated M1 as the second mobile operator in Singapore to offer the Visual Radio service to their customers.

“As more customers are turning to their mobile phones for mobile entertainment, we are constantly looking to offer more mobile services that will complement the lifestyles of socially mobile Singaporeans. We are delighted to partner MediaCorp Radio and Y.E.S 93.3FM in offering the world’s first Visual Radio service in Mandarin. Visual Radio makes an exciting addition to our selection of mobile services that M1 customers can enjoy while on the go, “said Ms Sharon Tan, Director of Consumer Marketing, M1.

M1 will be offering the Visual Radio service to its customers with Nokia devices with the Visual Radio application. Redefining the radio experience, Visual Radio allows listeners to tune in to local FM radio through the analog receiver on their mobile device while simultaneously receiving interactive information and graphics that are synchronised with the radio broadcast via the cellular data network onto the screen of the mobile device. With Visual Radio, M1 customers can now access appealing visuals, information and entertainment of what’s playing over the air, check upcoming concert dates, purchase ring tones and other mobile content of the artiste, participate in radio station promotions, polls, contests, and interact with radio DJs and special guests.

“MediaCorp Radio launched Visual Radio on 987FM last year with Nokia, HP and StarHub. Our collaboration with M1 marks yet another milestone as we bring Visual Radio to even more mobile users in Singapore. With the launch of the world’s first Chinese language Visual Radio service, we are now able to offer this unique interactive experience to mobile consumers keen on finding out more about Chinese music and entertainment. Now, both StarHub and M1 customers will be able to enjoy the Visual Radio service currently available for 987FM and Y.E.S 93.3FM. We also have plans to launch Visual Radio on Class 95FM and Ria 89.7FM in the near future.” said Mr Asaad Sameer Bagharib, Senior General Manager, Technology and New Media, MediaCorp Radio.

HP first engaged MediaCorp Radio to bring Visual Radio to Singapore and in December 2005, 987FM became the first radio station in Singapore and Asia Pacific to launch the Visual Radio service. Y.E.S. 93.3FM is now the second MediaCorp radio station to offer the service. HP continues to improve the mobile content available on Visual Radio by partnering with major record labels such as Sony BMG, EMI, Universal Music and Rock Records, to provide Visual Radio users with the coolest, original mobile artist content to download as they listen to the artist’s songs over radio.

“MediaCorp Radio continues to break new ground by introducing the first Chinese language version of the Visual Radio service,” said Ms Debra Brackeen, Director, Strategic Initiatives, HP. “Visual Radio creates a new business model for both broadcasters and mobile operators by leveraging on the strong relationship that radio stations have with their listeners to build an interactive relationship over the mobile network – we’re tremendously excited to see this service being offered to a Y.E.S. 93.3 listeners in Singapore.”

“We are completely committed to making it easy for people to enjoy the music they want, on a single device that is always with them,” said Chris Carr, General Manager, Nokia Singapore. “As part of this commitment, we have already launched more than 10 Nokia phones in Singapore that are compatible with Visual Radio - the Nokia N70, Nokia N71, Nokia N80, Nokia N91, Nokia 3230, Nokia 3250, Nokia 6125, Nokia 6131, Nokia 6280 and Nokia 7370 – with still more to come in the future.”

Local members of the Visual Radio community who love to attend live gigs can look forward to exclusive gigs from international artists such as the upcoming showcase of Teddy Geiger on 15 June 2006, sponsored by HP. Local Project Superstar finalist, Hong Jun Yang, also will add to the excitement when he performs on 15 July 2006. Sponsored by M1 and Nokia and exclusive to M1 Visual Radio customers, the event will showcase Jun Yang’s works from his debut album.

For more information about Visual Radio, please visit http://www.visualradio.com

For more information about Visual Radio in Singapore, please visit http://www.visualradio.sg