Google Nest Integrates Commercial Radio

Google Nest users will now be able to access more than 350 Australian digital radio stations on their Nest smart displays or speakers.

All commercial radio, ABC and SBS stations, including AM, FM, and DAB+, are now available on Nest devices thanks to the integration of the Australian radio industry’s official RadioApp aggregator app, part of a partnership between industry body Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) and Google Australia.

The new functionality means Nest customers will be able to tune in by telling their devices the station or frequency they want to listen to, said Mel Silva, Managing Director of Google Australia and New Zealand.

“This new integration of RadioApp on Google Nest devices gives listeners easier access to their preferred local radio stations and favourite radio personalities, all with a simple voice command.

“After many months of collaboration with CRA, it is great to see the results of our partnership become available for Australian radio listeners and Google Nest owners – and by making this radio content discoverable, it will provide incredible value for local radio stations and advertisers too,” she said.

According to Joan Warner, Chief Executive Officer of CRA, the partnership with Google expands radio’s reach across digital devices.

“We have been working hard in partnership with Google locally and globally for the past 18 months to ensure that all commercial radio stations and DAB+ digital stations are easily available on Google Nest speakers and displays.

“There is great value for radio audiences in being able to enjoy their favourite local radio station on these devices using a simple voice request. It’s also good news for advertisers looking to invest in audio, as the growth in smart speaker ownership, and radio’s presence on these devices, strengthens radio’s position and reach,” she said.

A study from Edison Research this year showed that 85 per cent of Australians are aware of smart speaker devices and 17 per cent own them, with 82 per cent of these owners having Google Nest devices.