Radio’s not dying. But it is moving — out of the dashboard, off the dial, and into every connected device we own. What was once a background medium is now ready to connect with listeners everywhere. This includes on their TVs, their smart speakers, their mobile phones, and in their cars.
And yet, too many broadcasters are still thinking inside the FM box.
That’s why a recent example from Pillar Media is so exciting. It’s not just exciting for what they did. It is also exciting for what it shows.
📺 A Quick Example: Radio on the Big Screen
Pillar Media, the broadcaster behind Christian AC and hip-hop stations like Star 99.1 and Flo 107.1, just launched full-featured smart TV apps for Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, and Fire TV. These apps let you stream live audio from multiple stations. More importantly, they bring modern, visual, and intentional design to the table.
We are discussing station branding, host bios available through QR code, and details of the current song and artist. All these elements are designed to feel right at home on a modern smart TV interface. It’s a polished experience, and more importantly, a user-first one.
It’s not flashy just for the sake of tech. It’s functional, accessible, and well-designed.
🧠 But Here’s the Bigger Idea: Radio Needs to Go Everywhere
This shouldn’t just be a one-off. This should be a roadmap. Every radio station should be asking:
- Can our audience easily find and stream us on a smart TV?
- Do we have a rich, interactive Alexa Skill or Google Action?
- Do we show up in Apple CarPlay or Android Auto? If so, is it just a stream? Or is it an experience?
And here’s the thing: I don’t mean stuffing everything into some giant, bloated all-in-one app.
🚫 Let’s Talk About iHeart and Audacy (Yeah… About That)
Look — I get the appeal of the all-in-one app. Platforms like iHeart and Audacy are fine for discovery. They help listeners stumble upon new stations, scroll through categories, and explore national content.
But as a dedicated experience for a single station? They’re clunky. Impersonal. Barely customized. They don’t show what makes your station special.
I’m a listener of a rock station in Chicago. I don’t want to dig through menus of unrelated formats or cities. I want an app that feels like my local station — with:
- Upcoming concerts in town
- Artist bios and local interviews
- Song history
- Merch drops or giveaways
- Real-time interaction with the on-air host
- Alerts for when my favorite shows go live
That app builds loyalty. It makes a listener feel like they’re part of something, not just consuming a feed.
So yes — keep those mega-apps around to help new listeners find you. But once they do? Give them a better home. Build a dedicated app that reflects your format, your city, and your audience.
📱 It’s Not Just TV — It’s the Whole Ecosystem
Let’s zoom out. If you’re serious about making radio relevant in the digital era, your station should be everywhere your listeners are:
- Smart TVs (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV)
- Smart speakers (Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri/HomePod)
- Car platforms (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto)
- Mobile apps (iOS/Android with real features — not just a play button)
- Wearables and smart displays (Think of the kitchen Echo Show or Apple Watch notifications)
Each of these is an opportunity not just to stream, but to connect.
🎙️ This Is Still Radio — Just Smarter
None of this is about abandoning what makes radio great. It’s about meeting people where they are — and bringing the best parts of radio with you.
People still love hearing a local voice on their drive. They still love calling into a morning show. They still love hearing about what’s happening tonight in their neighborhood.
The challenge is ensuring that when they search for the content, it’s available on the screen. It should not be locked in a dusty dashboard.
✅ The Takeaway for Broadcasters
Here’s what we should all be aiming for:
- Dedicated apps per station or format, not just buried in a giant catalog.
- Rich, visual experiences that feel native to the platform.
- Localized content that adds value beyond the stream.
- Smart, responsive interfaces with metadata, interactivity, and listener personalization.
- Presence on every modern platform, from TVs to smart speakers to connected cars.
This isn’t optional anymore. It’s what listeners expect — and what competing media platforms have already mastered.
Final thought: If your station is still only accessible through an FM antenna, you’re missing the real opportunity. The same applies if it’s accessible through only a single generic app. Don’t just stream radio. Build an experience that belongs in the digital world — and makes your audience want to come back
Credit: Some details in this post were originally reported by Radio World, highlighting Pillar Media’s smart TV rollout with AIM/Xperi.
Discover more from Fully Modulated
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
