• Developed in-house, Live Radio builds on Anghami’s existing social features to capture an increased share of the growing social audio market
  • Having launched in beta in September 2020, data from beta-testing also reveals social features support user engagement and retention
  • Musicians and creators will also soon be able to benefit from features to create subscription-only channels and revenue streams via their Live Radio channels 

Ahead of its historic listing on NASDAQ New York, Anghami, the Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) largest music platform, announces the launch of its live music and voice experience, ‘Live Radio’. Developed in-house by Anghami, this is the first time that a streaming service globally is enabling users and contributors to create a social audio experience for sharing music, conversation and more.

Available on both iOS and Android, Live Radio offers a number of unique features. Any user, including artists, DJs, content creators and music influencers, will be able to talk alongside playing songs, playlists and podcasts from Anghami’s library of over 57 million tracks. It gives everyone the chance to participate in a real-time version of a podcast experience and, by creating their own virtual events, users will be able to bring together communities with live interaction. Other features include applauding the host, sending text comments, meeting other participants and side-chats.

Elie Habib, Co-founder and Chairman of Anghami, commented, “The social elements of music have always been part of our vision. In fact, ‘live radio rooms’ were part of our original business pitch in 2011, as we saw the opportunity for social audio features to take off. Having been integrating social features such as stories and chats since 2017, now we are leading the way in delivering the next level of social audio to our users and our contributors. With the pandemic keeping people at home and apart, the intimacy of voice and the need to be closer to others has become more valuable and we expect to see the social audio market realise significant growth.”

Anghami launched Live Radio in beta in mid-2020, featuring text chats and other functionality ahead of the full launch which now includes voice chat for the first time ever. Data from the beta-phase demonstrates the additional benefits for Anghami in terms of user engagement and retention. For example, active social users have a 30% higher retention rate and social users overall stream 33% more average daily seconds than a standard active user.

Elie Habib added, “Anghami has an established track record and user base which continues to help us build and leverage our wide range of consumer behavioral data to create local experiences. Our beta launch in mid-2020 displayed how focusing on creating communities and adding interaction has been our best strategic asset, boosting engagement and retention - and a tribute to the region and the music that brings it together.” 

What’s more, Live Radio continues to build on Anghami’s commitment to supporting new and established creative talent, with the forthcoming launch of Premium Live Radio and tokens providing the opportunity for artists and creators to introduce subscription-only channels and other revenue streams. 

Best known for legalizing the Arab music streaming market amid high levels of piracy, and working with local artists to monetize their work, Anghami has already found success through hosting several content creators and Arab artists such as Maya Diab, Now United and others, where users were able to talk to celebrities, artists and listeners and connect in innovative new ways.         

Anghami will become the first Arab technology company to list on NASDAQ New York via a merger with Vistas Media Acquisition Company Inc. (NASDAQ: VMAC), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company.

-Ends-

For more information:
Media Waves Egypt
Tel:  01222185452
202 20822039 - 93
info@mediawaves.net 

Send us your press releases to pressrelease.zawya@refinitiv.com

© Press Release 2021

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.