Radioplayer and Appning by FORVIA have partnered to give radio broadcasters a easier and faster approach to launch their own branded applications inside connected cars. "Rayo" from Bauer Media released as the first app.
As vehicles continue to evolve into software-driven platforms, the in-car experience is increasingly organised around apps. For broadcasters, this introduces a new technical challenge: distributing their content inside automotive infotainment systems without having to build and maintain specialised automotive software.
This challenge is now solved by connecting Radioplayer’s Broadcaster Apps with Appning by FORVIA’s automotive app distribution ecosystem, with Bauer Media Audio as the first broadcast partner to adopt the solution.
Radioplayer Broadcaster Apps enables broadcasters to create fully branded radio applications that reflect their own identity, editorial choices and listener relationship, while Appning enables broadcasters to scale their apps into over 40 different car brands infotainment systems without having to build, certify or maintain their own in-car technology.
For broadcasters, the value is straightforward: brand presence in the car, at scale, with low complexity. Instead of negotiating individual integrations with car manufacturers or investing heavily in native in-car development, broadcasters gain access to a proven distribution route through Appning while retaining full control of their brand and content.
To highlight the scale and credibility of this ecosystem, Appning by FORVIA is deployed at scale with 16 OEM’s at over 40 cars brands, from leading global car manufacturers, including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen Group, MINI, Lotus and SAIC Motor. This places broadcaster apps inside in-car environments that are already live, consumer-facing and expanding rapidly across global markets.
Radioplayer, in turn, is backed by major radio broadcasters across Europe and beyond, representing hundreds of trusted radio brands with strong daily reach and local relevance. The partnership therefore connects these established broadcaster brands with an existing automotive app ecosystem, combining automotive-grade distribution with content that drivers already know, trust and use.
This partnership also complements Radioplayer’s core native in-car distribution work. While Radioplayer continues to focus on platform-level radio integration with automotive systems, Broadcaster Apps offer an additional route for broadcasters that want a dedicated branded presence within connected vehicle app environments.
Mattijs de Valk, Head of Partnership, Appning by Forvia:
“We are excited to see this partnership enable broadcasters to bring their radio brands into the Appning ecosystem at such ease, impacting the listening experience for a lot of users. For manufacturers this means acceleration of high-quality audio apps in their in-car app portfolio.”
Laurence Harrison, Chief Partnerships Officer:
“This builds on Radioplayer’s technology platform, which is already used to deliver radio at scale in cars. We’re now extending that capability into app-based environments, giving broadcasters a fast, cost-effective and low-complexity route to deploy their own branded experiences. We’re delighted to be working with Appning and that a broadcaster of Bauer Media Audio’s size and reach has come on board as a launch partner..”
Tobias Nielsen, SVP Digital at Bauer Media Audio:
“Adopting the white-label solution from Radioplayer, and using Appning’s in-car distribution ecosystem, gives us a scalable way to offer listeners more ways to access their favourite radio stations in connected dashboards. As cars become an increasingly important listening environment, this approach ensures we can deliver high-quality, trusted audio experiences seamlessly within native in-car systems, while creating a strong foundation for future innovation and expanded functionality.”
