O2 has announced the launch of Visual Radio on Bristols GWR FM station. GWR is the first station outside London to offer Visual Radio, following yesterdays launch of a Visual Radio service by Virgin Radio.
Visual Radio enhances listeners radio experience on their mobiles through access to interactive information and graphics that are synchronised with the broadcast, so they can see images of the artist playing, as well as information on the DJ and the programme. The technology is enabled jointly by O2, HP and Nokia.
GWR FM listeners in Bristol will be the first in the UK to have access to premium content associated with the programming, such as True Tone downloads and wallpapers. To celebrate the launch, GWR FM is hosting the Visual Radio Arena, a VIP area at the front of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta Free Music Concert stage. Those not lucky enough to be in this area will be able to try Visual Radio for themselves at other points throughout the festival.
Visual Radio on GWR FM will allow listeners to interact in a completely new way, directly from their mobiles, from finding out more about new artists and songs to getting details of upcoming gigs. In addition, Bristol listeners will be able to enjoy radio news, sports broadcasts, up-to-the-minute weather forecasts. They will also be able to vote and text views and comments to GWR shows direct from their mobiles. O2 says a 20-minute Visual Radio session will cost around 40p for the GPRS usage.
With Visual Radio built into a phone, O2 customers can listen to any FM station, but when tuning in to GWR FM in Bristol, with a Nokia Visual Radio-enabled handset, they can choose to receive a new kind of experience. The service, which was developed by Nokia and is powered by HP, offers listeners interactive information and graphics that are synchronised with the broadcast. The content is delivered via O2s mobile network onto the screen of the mobile handset and contains information and images of the artist playing, DJ and programme information.
It also gives listeners the opportunity to fully interact with their favourite GWR FM shows by enabling them to participate in quizzes and enter competitions. Users can also click through to other services via the O2 network, including downloading ringtones and wallpapers, with song downloads to follow shortly.
The Visual Radio service opens up new business models to broadcasters and content creators, as listeners can be reached in different and interactive ways. Content creators will be able to differentiate themselves from their competitors, create enhanced advertising opportunities and open new revenue streams.
O2 is the first network in the UK to integrate the service and it is available exclusively from O2 for several months ahead. Listeners will require a Nokia handset* to enjoy the service, as Nokia is currently the only mobile manufacturer offering handsets with built-in Visual Radio support.
It is fantastic that Bristol listeners will be some of the first in the UK to experience Visual Radio says GWR Programme Controller, Paul Andrew. Youll be able to see what you hear and that means lots of great content on your favourite DJs, competitions and artists, plus loads more besides. Your mobile screen will show you what artist is playing right now, so youll always know which song is on the radio.
For O2, Head of Music, & Moving Pictures James Parton adds:
Music is integral to our customers lives. Visual Radio enhances the Radio listening experience for our customers by bringing colour, entertainment, information and interactivity to radio broadcasts. 65% of people use the Radio function of their Nokia mobile phone with 40% of people using the radio at least once a day, so we believe this is a service our customers will enjoy. Importantly customers are in total control of their cost, with the Visual Radio service being easily switched on or off to complement the free to air FM radio broadcast.
For a list of Visual Radio-enabled Nokia phones, click here. 
