iHeartMedia has acquired Radiojar Information Technology, an online audio company based in Greece. Radiojar is a centralized, cloud-based platform for audio playout. Following the acquisition by iHeartMedia subsidiary RCS, Radiojar’s tools will be used at the media conglomerate to combine elements of bradcast radio into digital channels such as podcasts and music streaming. The purchase adds more capabilities for iHeartMedia and RCS clients to combine audio elements such as DJ voice tracks, music, or broadcast spots to create, manage, distribute and monetize streams, podcasts, and other digital audio content. Radiojar will continue to provide tools for independent radio stations and podcasters to instantly create their own stations and broadcast from wherever they are. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
iHeartMedia has been amassing a bigger stable of startups focused on audio technology and digital audio advertising. On the content side, it acquired Stuff Media and its popular HowStuffWorks podcast network. The purchase of programmatic audio company Jelli in November also expanded its back-end capabilities.
“Because we lead in all audio categories and understand the entire landscape, from broadcast radio to streaming radio to podcasts, we are always looking for next-generation technologies and services that can complement the overall audio ecosystem,” iHeartMedia President, COO, and CFO Rich Bressler said. “We recognize that broadcast radio has a very unique set of programming tools that make listening a smoother and more enjoyable experience. These new capabilities will allow for the seamless nature that has only been available on radio to transition to other audio mediums including digital stations and podcasts.”
“Complementing our recent announcements about our cloud-based scheduling, playout and disaster recovery services, this acquisition will help RCS bring an even wider range of sophisticated online broadcast tools to our customers,” said Philippe Generali, RCS’ president and CEO. “In the near future, using cloud-based technology, it will be possible to launch a brand-new radio service across broadcast and digital within minutes of the original idea. The ultimate ‘pop-up’ radio station, if you will.”
“The Radiojar team is excited to be joining forces with the largest audio company in America – iHeartMedia, as well as RCS – a company known around the world for its audio software innovation,” Radiojar CEO Stathis Koutsogeorgos said. “We share a vision about the importance of cloud-based technologies, and we look forward to the opportunity to evolve and offer our products and services to an even wider audience.”