TikTok Australia and ARN have partnered to launch a new digital radio station, TikTok Trending on iHeartRadio.
TikTok Trending on iHeartRadio will be broadcast to Australian listeners 24/7 for three months from today, both on air and online via ARN’s iHeartRadio digital platform. This ‘pop-up’ station aims to be the go-to radio station for consumers, brands and industry players to get on top of the latest music tracks, artists and trends on TikTok right now – from new releases via international chart-toppers such as Dua Lipa and Yungblud, through to revived classic from the likes of Fleetwood Mac and OMC. This radio station will also provide a platform for a diverse range of artists – from independent and homegrown talent, through to global and signed names.
Brett Armstrong, general manager TikTok global business solutions, Australia and New Zealand said: “Brands have been turning to TikTok to engage with our unique audiences in authentic and creative ways, since we launched local operations and began building out a stellar team to service direct advertisers and agencies in Australia last year. Partnering with ARN to launch our own digital radio station, which is an exclusive to Australia, will allow advertisers to tap into TikTok in a more traditional media channel and give brands an opportunity to run integrated campaigns across both TikTok and the iHeartRadio platforms. We’re excited to see where this partnership with ARN can take us as we become a well established marketing platform for Australian advertisers.”
TikTok Trending on iHeartRadio is hosted by a number of local and international music acts, alongside Australian TikTok creators, who will provide commentary on TikTok’s influence on music and offer context on the latest content trends emerging on the platform. These hosts are:
• G Flip – ARIA nominated Melbourne-based musician, singer, songwriter, producer and drummer.
• Isaiah Firebrace – Australian singer who won the eighth season of The X Factor Australia in 2016.
• Tannar – Local internet star and comedian.
• Avneesha – Australian songwriter and performer known for her comedy and original music on TikTok.
The station will also feature a line-up of guest creators, including local artists and international platinum-selling artist Rita Ora who is also one of the hosts of the upcoming season of The Voice in Australia.
Corey Layton, ARN’s head of digital audio: “We share the TikTok community’s passion for exploring, creating and sharing a wide array of music, and we’re so excited to support emerging and established musicians who have enjoyed success on TikTok, amplify their music to an even bigger audience of Australian music fans. Across radio, music and podcasts, iHeartRadio’s global and local growth continues to soar and this partnership showcases the unique audio content our listeners come to iHeartRadio to explore.”
TikTok’s ANZ director of music, Ollie Wards said of the partnership: “For us, this radio station is a testament to TikTok’s growing credentials in the music industry and the influence the platform has in propelling artists and tracks from the platform into the broader music scene. TikTok Trending on iHeartRadio will do what it says on the tin – play the music that’s trending on TikTok! Classics, new music and the best of our local scenes will all be mixed in together, just like when you’re scrolling through your For You feed on TikTok. Listening to TikTok Trending will be surprising, always fun and a great way to keep up with what people are talking about. We’re incredibly excited to team up with an industry leader like ARN to bring TikTok Trending on iHeartRadio to life.”
The launch of TikTok Trending on iHeartRadio comes as TikTok continues to be a discovery springboard for viral hits and a driver of chart success. Both Australian and international brands have jumped on the opportunities that the platform provides advertisers.
Music-driven TikTok Hashtag Challenges and sponsorship opportunities, as well as organic brand content and creator collaborations, have become important tools to tap into trends and engage with the TikTok community to create culture.
From today, the TikTok Trending on iHeartRadio 24/7 digital radio station will be available for Australian consumers to stream exclusively via iHeartRadio through the following ways:
• On desktop, mobile or tablet via www.iheart.com
• On your smart devices, such as your Apple TV or your smart speaker
• On DAB+ Digital radio in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth