Kiss FM begins Visual Radio broadcasts

Kiss FM begins Visual Radio broadcasts

Espoo, Finland – SBS Finland’s Kiss FM today became the first radio station in the world to begin Visual Radio broadcasts. This unique new concept developed by Nokia offers the listeners the possibility to give feedback and to participate in programs easier than ever before. Radio is a medium which encourages participation and which people perceive as very personal. Visual Radio is the natural next evolution step; it brings the radio station and its listeners even closer together.

Kiss FM Visual Radio provides visual information on the song and artist currently playing on the radio, including album information and future tour dates. With a simple push of a button, the listeners can take part in competitions and audience polls, buy ring tones and wallpapers for their phone, and book tickets for the evening’s concert.

“Kiss FM celebrates its 10th anniversary today. For the past decade, the station has been a pioneer in Finnish radio, introducing the first hit format, the first morning show, and the first radio web site and chat room for the young listeners,” says Leena Ryynänen, CEO of SBS Finland Oy. “It is therefore only natural that Kiss FM should be the first radio station in the world to offer Visual Radio broadcasts. We are extremely proud that Nokia has chosen SBS Finland as its partner in revolutionizing the radio landscape.”

Ryynänen believes Visual Radio will open up new possibilities for radio: “Visual Radio strengthens the communal aspect of radio as well as the relationship between the radio station and the listener. It also enables us to offer new interactive real time services for our advertisers.”

Visual Radio adapts to the needs of different radio formats. “Radio stations can mould Visual Radio to their liking. Radio City, another SBS station, will begin Visual Radio broadcasts later this spring, and the theme of the visual content there will the same as the station’s motto, ‘Rock and Sports’,” explains Ryynänen.

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