Univision announced the Uforia music service and upgraded radio app focused on content curation and customizable channels at the Billboard Latin Music Conference 4/23. Looking to perhaps be the Pandora of Hispanic music, Univision plans to roll out the new streaming music service this summer. Uforia will combine the company’s 50 radio station streams with new Latin music genre channels, custom radio and social media.
Like iHeartRadio and Pandora, Uforia will offer of exclusive genre channels not available on broadcast radio. These additional formats will be curated by Univision Radio programmers.
Specifically, the app will feature exclusive channels, customizable stations housing more than 20 million songs and one of the most engaging social experiences on the market. It will also offer a friend-sourcing service where users will be able to not only see what their connections are listening to but also recommend music to them directly.
“Univision Communications is committed to continuing our legacy of bringing the most cutting edge entertainment to Hispanic America,” said Jose Valle, president, Univision Radio. “By leveraging the size and scale of the Company’s media platforms, we provide an unparalleled promotional platform for established and emerging artists while transforming the digital music experience for our audiences.”
Additionally, Univision is helping to foster emerging talent by partnering with music industry labels to exclusively premiere songs from up-and-coming artists. The Company used this approach with the debut of then-newcomer Leslie Grace. Her chart-topping single, “Will U Still Love Me” premiered on Univision Radio stations across the country and her live performances of the song were featured during Univision Network’s Premios Juventud and Univision Radio’s H2O Music Festival.
“Univision Communications is the most comprehensive solution for artists looking to reach and engage Hispanic America,” said Harrison. “We know our audience’s listening preferences are evolving and have developed our new music service, Uforia, to meet their multiplatform lifestyle. Uforia will become Hispanic America’s #1 choice for audio entertainment.”
RBR-TVBR observation: This is a good move for the company and will drive a lot of listeners online for social media interaction, new music discovery and perhaps steal some Pandora listeners as well. With that in mind, it’s important Uforia remained platform-agnostic, keeping the Univision radio station streams on TuneIn and iHeartRadio. However, the exclusive genre channels will only be heard on Uforia.
