According to TRN, "iHeartRadio provides radio fans with instant access to live broadcast and digital-only radio stations, user-created custom stations inspired by favourite artists and songs, plus mood-related stations".
The new platform will offer free apps for computers and smartphones allowing listeners to access content. TRN will use iHeartRadio algorithms to identify content for custom stations selected by advertisers or listeners, allowing personalised niche channels.
Hastings said the initial focus for TRN would be solely on building up the number of people listening through iHeartRadio and talking about advertising revenue was still in its "early days".
TRN group general manager of product and digital, Carolyn Luey, said that even in the US, where iHeartRadio was well established, they had not moved to establish advertising on personalised stations, and it was unlikely to start for 18 months to two years.
"We are trying to build up an uncluttered music environment," she said. But there will be chances for TRN to make money off "bespoke" stations developed by TRN advertisers with content aimed at their target audience."There are many ways to make money off a bespoke station," Hastings said.
She said the US experience was that a lot of use had been on work computers, but apps for smartphone users would be vitally important.
"The focus now is to grow the registration and and listening base on iHeartRadio."
Inevitably, there will be comparisons to other streaming audio sites such as Spotify or Pandora, or even iTunes - which is shifting its approach toward the internet radio model.
Hastings believed iHeartRadio's defining characteristic was being free and that it was designed from a radio programming perspective. There were no plans to introduce subscriptions like Spotify or iTunes.
Free access to large amounts of content from the iHeartRadio catalogue internationally has been given a thumbs-up by tech commentators.
Chief executive of the Telecommunications Users Association, Paul Brislen, welcomed the latest international service which added to the niche websites already available for downloading local music - such as Amplifier.
"It is encouraging that a mainstream media organisation is realising that this is the future," said Brislen.
"Many have realised they are associated with only one media - radio, TV or newsprint - and these days we can do anything we want online."
Technology commentator Peter Griffin also welcomed access to more free content.
But he predicted it would be hard for iHeartRadio to gain traction because of the amount of online radio content already in the market.
"Good on them for giving it a crack, though."
He said that for smartphones one of the benefits of audio was that it didn't use much bandwidth. A data allowance of one to two gigabytes a month should serve most people, he thought.
Mobile users would also be able to use free WiFi to access sites, he noted.
The new face of wireless
The Radio Network
• Part of ARN owned 50:50 by the US firm Clear Channel and APN News and Media, publisher of the New Zealand Herald.
• Owns radio networks that reach about half of New Zealand's commercial radio audience.
• MediaWorks makes up most of the balance,
• TRN brands include NewstalkZB, Radio Sport, Classc Hits, Radio Sport, ZM, Coast and Flava.
iHeartRadio internet radio
• TRN held a soft launch last week week in advance of a formal start up in mid-September.
• It will offer live streaming of radio stations from New Zealand, Clear Channel's 850 live US radio stations and Australia stations.
• Listeners will be able to build custom radio stations based on users' favourite songs or artists
• It reaches 20 million registered users in the United States with nearly 210 million downloads of the iHeartRadio mobile app and more than 60 million monthly unique users across its network.
• Users will be able to access a library of more than 16 million songs and 400,000 artists, says TRN.
