Sonos launches new streaming radio service with 60,000 stations and original programming

After competing in the hardware space for nearly two decades, Sonos has added a new music service to its roster today, unveiling a free, ad-supported streaming radio service.

Available to more than 10 million homes around the world, Sonos Radio brings together the massive array of internet radio services on the Sonos platform, giving users a new way to explore tens of thousands of radio stations from around the world. 

Along with a new experience, they’re also adding original programming, with stations featuring a range of music handpicked by DJs, curators, and artists. 

While on-demand listening has gone up over the years, radio still gets “nearly half” of playtime on Sonos devices, the company says, and Sonos Radio becomes the first step in the future of integrating their components, showcasing partners, and providing original content.

“Sonos Radio brings together streaming radio services and a select set of curated radio stations in a simple, elegant way,” Sonos CEO Patrick Spence said. “This is just a beginning as we work to deliver services that provide our customers a better experience, and provide our music streaming service partners an opportunity to highlight their best content.”

You’ll find three new sections in the Sonos app to choose from:

Local Radio

Exactly as it sounds. Find your favourite local or global station and listen live. There are over 60,000 of them from multiple streaming partners to choose from, including TuneIn and iHeartRadio.

Sonos Presents

Discover music through specially curated stations and original programming, like “Sonos Sound System,” the company’s signature ad-free station. Here you’ll find new and well-known music along with behind-the-scenes stories, historical context, and artist profiles between music.

Also featured will be weekly guest artist radio hours, where every Wednesday an artist will host their own 60-minute radio show with music and commentary about what inspires them, new music they’re listening to, and their latest work.

“In the Absence Thereof” is a curated station by Radiohead’s Thom Yorke (Sonos)

Sonos converted the basement of their flagship retail store in New York City into the company’s global production studio where, when open again, artists will come to broadcast and record.

Sonos Stations

Choose one of the over 30 ad-supported stations by whatever genre you’re in the mood for. Each one has a different host or DJ that’ll set the context for the station. 

Some of the genre-based Sonos Stations (Sonos)

Sonos Radio is available now for all customers worldwide. Original programming will be available in Canada, the US, UK, Ireland, and Australia to begin.