iHeartRadio introduced a voice-enabled “Request a Song” feature for Alexa.
Highlighting a partnership with Amazon, it says the feature lets listeners “communicate with their favorite DJs by requesting and dedicating songs live on the radio.”
On an Alexa-enabled device, the listener can speak to request and dedicate songs; Alexa will send the request to the station, where radio DJs can act on it.
[Read: For Radio, Audio Is the “New Now”]
The company says the feature is enabled by updates to Alexa’s voice AI. It says it is working on more interactive features including Q&As with DJs and show hosts, voice-driven polls and contests.
The feature was introduced first on stations in South Carolina, Arizona, Texas and Florida, with more planned.
The company posted a video with Chief Product Officer Chris Williams explaining the new skill, see it above. He calls the feature “a direct line to allow our audience to talk back, to share their thoughts and help influence what you hear on the radio.”
