iHeartRadio Adding Alexa-Based Song Requests, Dedications

iHeartMedia has unveiled an interactive feature from Amazon Alexa designed to allow listeners of an iHM radio station’s audio stream to make song requests and dedications.

The new Alexa skill is now available on Country WCOS 97.5 FM in Columbia, S.C.; and Top 40 KZZP 104.7 FM in Phoenix, WXXL 106.7 FM in Orlando and KHKS 106.1 FM Kiss FM in Dallas. 

Other stations will added soon, iHeartMedia.

iHeartRadio Chief Product Officer Chris Williams stated, “We’re excited that for the first time our listeners will be able to talk to us directly through Alexa. This is a direct line to allow our audience to talk back, to share their thoughts and help influence what you hear on the radio.”

How does it work? “One can simply use their voice to seamlessly request songs and even dedicate them to family and friends,” Williams explains. “Alexa will then send the request to the station, where radio DJs can queue them for on-air playback in front of millions of other listeners.”

“We’re excited that for the first time our listeners will be able to talk to us directly through Alexa,” iHeartRadio Chief Product Officer Chris Williams said. “This is a direct line to allow our audience to talk back, to share their thoughts and help influence what you hear on the radio.”

iHeartRadio “is experimenting with the latest Alexa updates to deliver even more interactive features in the future.” This includes Q&As with on-air personalities and show hosts, voice-driven polls, and contests.