TuneIn, the free digital audio service that lets users listen to real radio, has introduced a new paid tier called TuneIn Premium that should make some sports fans very happy. Launched today, the premium subscription features over 600 commercial-free music stations and unlimited access to the site’s audiobook catalog. But the biggest incentive for premium users will likely be its sports slate: live broadcasts of all Major League Baseball games, and for soccer fans, Barclays Premier League (England) and Bundesliga (Germany) matches.
“With the introduction of TuneIn Premium we are taking the world’s best audio content and putting it all in one place,” said TuneIn CEO John Donham. “MLB is the gold standard in professional sports and its mobile availability on TuneIn will anchor our new subscription service for years to come. In today’s crowded audio landscape, our focus on exclusive news, talk, sports, and music allows us to deliver an unparalleled listening experience to our users.”
MLB exec Kenny Gersh said that in addition to offering live broadcasts of games, TuneIn Premium will feature other programming including “fantasy baseball, talk shows and baseball-themed entertainment, and individual stations devoted to their favorite teams.”
TuneIn Premium costs $7.99/month in the U.S., $8.99/month in Canada and £5.99/month in the U.K., with more countries to be added soon. The paid tier will be accessible on the existing TuneIn app, which boasts 100,000 ad-supported radio broadcasts and nearly 6 million podcasts. The company, headquartered in San Francisco, said it now has an estimated 60 million monthly active users.
