Sonos subscription radio streaming service to launch in Australia

Staff Writer

Australia is in line for speaker maker Sonos’ new high-definition subscription radio streaming service Sonos Radio HD.

Sonos launched its free ad-supported streaming radio service in Australia in April. The service offers 60,000 stations via its speakers, with original programming recorded in its New York studio.

Set for a gradual global roll-out, Sonos Radio HD went live in the US and UK on November 12 via the S2 app with a subscription fee of US$7.99/£7.99 per month after a one-month free trial. The local launch date is not finalised, but Australia was one of the first five countries to receive the April streaming service.

The new lossless CD-quality audio service has the ability to skip and repeat tracks. It also offers an expanded roster of original genre radio stations from “expert curators” like US critic Ann Powers for the Nashville Now and Americana Ramble stations. Other new stations cover British beats, German hip hop, French sounds, jazz, global retro R&B and soul.

Sonos has also tapped on the shoulders of artists like Dolly Parton, whose Songteller Radio will “continually evolve with Dolly’s hits, favourite artists, and special commentary on songs and moments throughout her career”.

Other new stations such as The Inner Now, Chill Beats and Mellow Morning aim “to promote mindfulness, productivity, and relaxation”. Six stations are dedicated to “perfectly tuned sleep sounds” with white noise, pink noise, brown noise, rain, rainforest and piano sounds.

Sonos CEO Patrick Spence said: “Sonos Radio is a result of our unwavering commitment to great sound experiences – thoughtfully curated music in incredible sound from the moment our customers set-up.

“Sonos Radio HD means even more choice and better sound for Sonos customers.”

Five more artist stations will come online in early 2021.

Meanwhile, Sonos Radio is now available in 21 countries, this week expanding to Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Austria and Belgium.

According to Sonos, there’s been a 40% year-on-year increase in listening hours on its speakers globally, with radio representing 50% of all listening time on the platform.

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Chris
15 Nov 2020 - 8:36 am

SCA are always blabbing on about streaming why haven’t they done subscription radio, Sonos beat them to it.

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