Multiple award-winning radio legend Barney Simon and Kagiso Media have launched a 24-hour rock music channel.
Barney Simon’s Rock On app is a uniquely curated music stream, with the legendary tracks of the last three decades available instantly to Android phone users, and IOS platforms iPhone and iPad.
Barney Simon, with more than 30 years’ experience behind the microphone, is generally regarded as the most influential South African rock DJ. He is also the host of the daily Workzone Show on Jacaranda FM from 12h00 to 16h00, Barney and Friends on Wednesdays from 22h00 to 00h00, and Closet Classix on Sundays from 10h00 to 13h00.
This is the first app in a streaming app strategy by Kagiso Media that will deliver multiple content streams to relevant audiences.
Vincent Maher, Kagiso Media’s chief innovation officer explains, “The future of radio can be seen if you blur your eyes and look at the Internet, big data and mobile phones combined with the human connection that only comes with the voice of an expert music curator. Barney Simon’s Rock On is a small slice of all of those things. For us it is the beginning of something we think will change the radio industry.”
While anyone can produce a rock music stream, Maher says only Rock On has rock legend Barney Simon’s best classic and alternative rock playlist streaming at the touch of a button. Celebrated DJ, Simon recently won the 2015 MTN Radio Award for Best Night-time Show ‘The Barney Simon Show’ on Jacaranda FM, further cementing his rock guru status.
Of his app, Barney Simon says, “The music is a mix of the ultimate classic and alternative rock music out there… it’s for the many rock fans in SA.”
Kagiso Media’s Chief Executive of Radio Nick Grubb says, “Technology provides the opportunity to bring listeners their favourite content through tailored streams, but we believe that it’s important to still offer a human connection. A world of playlists without personality is a dull prospect. It’s when humans and technology work together that you build media products with soul.”