AirKast to Provide Free Alexa Skills to Stations

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, August 17, 2017

AirKast Inc., a mobile app developer for broadcasters, has developed and will be providing free Alexa skills for all its customers -- including over 800 North American radio stations, syndicated radio hosts and podcasters -- allowing them to bring voice interaction to audiences. Beyond the basic launching of radio music streams, AirKast's Alexa skills will enable listeners to explore, interact and request other content from stations and hosts available through their own branded mobile apps.

AirKast will also provide functionality that allows stations and hosts to collect and harness permission-based user data to help them sell mobile ad campaigns and drive listener engagement beyond current levels. AirKast also offers Apple Car Play and Android Auto functionality for free -- which will be relaunched with auto voice controls.

"We expect that these new Alexa skills will be quite beneficial to radio stations -- by permitting them to forge easy-to-use personal connections with their audiences, and by giving them new content whenever and wherever they want it," explained AirKast CEO Larry Leung. "It's our mission to not only provide basic Alexa skills, but also more advanced voice recognition, so fans can interact with a radio station's podcasts, show schedules and other application-based content."

AirKast provides services to CBS Radio News, FOX Radio News and Cumulus Media as well as syndicated show personalities like Mark Levin.