SCA launches refreshed Hit and Triple M listening apps

Southern Cross Austereo has responded to recent spikes for in-app radio listening by re-launching its Hit and Triple M apps with a fresh new design and interface.

The radio network reported 8.9 million active live radio streams and 9.7 million total listening hours for the month of June, with the Hit app seeing a 40% increase and Triple M reporting a 18% rise in unique users year on year.

In addition, there were 3.88 million mobile listening hours recorded (a 48% year on year increase), while desire for news on demand has spiked by 203% following 2020’s bushfires, floods and the coronavirus pandemic.

As a result, SCA redesigned the listening experience for users, with new features including news on demand and greater access to local headlines. Preferences can also be set up to receive regular notifications of breaking news, with the new versions of both the Hit and Triple M apps now available on iOS and Android smartphones.

“We’ve redesigned the listening experience on the new apps to support how audience behaviour is evolving,” said SCA head of digital product & innovations, Chris Johnson.

“Users now have a choice of live radio streams from our FM and DAB+ stations, catch up podcasts of our best shows and up-to-the-minute on-demand local news and we’ve made it simple to switch between all of them.”

Other new features of the app aim to allow a more seamless experience between the Hit and Triple M websites, and the new app.

There is also a new ‘Win’ section for listeners to enter competitions directly, as well as higher quality streaming and stability across both apps.

“Our goal is to give listeners total control over their experience, and once signed in they can build a personal library of shows and get timely notifications of show availability,” said Johnson.

“Our growing signed-in listener base also benefits advertisers using our instream advertising platform and delivering increased addressable inventory for greater campaign targeting.”

Between January 2020 and now, SCA’s apps have delivered a total of 32.8 million streams, with in-app activity up 41% in that time.