As we embrace 2025, it’s time to revisit an impressive venture that revolutionized the digital audio industry a decade ago. CBS RADIO and CBS Local Digital Media launched Play.it®, a comprehensive podcast network that united digital-exclusive programming from a variety of established brands and publishers, along with content from CBS RADIO shows on demand. This game-changing platform offered more than 300 premium content podcasts at its inception and has grown exponentially since. Let’s dive into the details and explore the evolution of Play.it over the past decade.
CBS RADIO and CBS Local Digital Media Present: Play.it®
Originally launched in 2015, Play.it brought together digital-exclusive programming from significant brands and publishers as well as content from CBS RADIO shows on demand. The platform offered more than 300 premium content podcasts at launch, featuring well-known CBS RADIO personalities like Boomer Esiason & Craig Carton, Carson Daly, and Kevin & Bean, alongside content from leading news, lifestyle, sports, and media brands including 48 HOURS, 60 MINUTES, CBS Sports Radio, Vox, Deadspin, Simon & Schuster, and Foursquare, among others.
A Unified Platform for On-demand Audio Content
Play.it was and remains online at www.Play.it and through a mobile-optimized site for streaming devices. The podcasts are available to stream or download and Play.it series are also available CBS Local Digital Media’s properties – including Radio.com, the Radio.com App, CBS Local sites nationwide, and the CBS Local App – and are distributed TuneIn’s site and apps, as well as on iTunes. The Play.it podcast network will also be available on CBS RADIO’s HD radio stations in select major markets.
Play.it: A Testament to the Power of Spoken Word
The rise in popularity of these programs comes as no surprise as technology continues to advance, providing consumers the flexibility to listen on their own terms. Play.it has been instrumental in expanding our content and growing our audiences, utilising the expertise and creativity of CBS RADIO talent, with the promotional resources of 117 stations behind it.
Addressing the Demand for On-demand Audio Content
With the launch of Play.it, CBS aimed to bring consumers a unified, easy-to-use platform featuring the best podcasts from not only CBS brands but other major brands, personalities, and publishers, as well.
Play.it: A Hub for Premium Podcast Content
Play.it’s focus on premium podcast content spans every major category, including news & information, sports, entertainment & lifestyle, comedy, health & wellness, business, culture, and more. At launch, podcasts on Play.it included a wide range of topics and personalities.
Play.it: Advertising Supported and User-friendly
Play.it is advertising-supported and uses the latest in dynamic ad insertion technology as well as native and sponsorship advertising. Brands can buy campaigns platforms in a simple one-stop-shop manner including over-the-air, live streaming, and podcasts, delivering targeted messaging to specific fans of a particular show or the entire network of hundreds of programs.
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