Voice of America, in partnership with AudioNow Digital, has launched an audio-only app that will allow users to listen to VOA programming over data or cellular voice connections. That option is especially valuable for VOA audiences in emerging markets where streaming audio is not available or cost prohibitive.
VOA Mobile Streamer, which is available on Apple and Android platforms, will provide broadcast audio programming in 33 languages. In addition to on-demand programming, the app also offers live 24/7 radio streams in more than a dozen languages.
“We are very pleased to add this app to our suite of mobile products,” said Kelu Chao, acting director of the Voice of America. “VOA Mobile Streamer allows us to better serve and connect with audiences in low-bandwidth countries and provide them with high-quality news and information they can’t get elsewhere. By giving our audience access to our radio broadcasts via voice VOA is now availab! le on even the simplest of mobile phones.”
“We worked with VOA and AudioNow to make a very non-traditional news app experience,” added Adam Martin, acting director of the Broadcasting Board of Governors’ Office of Digital and Design Innovation. “Mobile Streamer’s unique and refreshing design is particularly attractive to younger audiences, and its accessibility in low-bandwidth areas is crucial to reaching key audiences.”
VOA Mobile Streamer leverages AudioNow’s international Interactive Voice Response infrastructure and will showcase thousands of hours of VOA audio programmes that are produced each week.
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