Last.fm is working with Bbc

The Internet radio Last.fm (created in 2002 and bought by CBS Interactive for 140m of british pounds in May 2007) is working with Bbc radio.

Last.fm tracks BBC playlists

Jemima Kiss
Guardian Unlimited
Wednesday October 31 2007

Social music site Last.fm has begun working with the BBC, tracking the music played by DJs across Radio 1, Radio 2, 6Music and 1Xtra.

By tracking or "scrobbling" the music played on the BBC stations, Last.fm can monitor which artists and bands are played and how often, charting which get the most airtime.

Users can also view the playlists for specific DJs including Steve Lamacq on 6 Music, Zane Lowe on Radio 1 and Ace & Vis on 1Xtra.

6Music's profile shows that Radiohead has been the most popular band this week, with 19 plays, followed by the Duke Spirit and Kings of Leon.

On Radio 1, The Hoosiers top the most-played list above Sugababes and Robyn, while on 1Xtra the playlist is headed by Q-Tip, Dizzee Rascal and Timbaland.

Kylie, the Eagles and Seal top Radio 2's list of scrobbled tracks.

The feature allows listeners to see which station suits their taste and to click through to Last.fm's affiliate sites to buy tracks they hear on the radio.

Music community site Last.fm has increasingly established partnerships with mainstream media companies as it built its audience of music fans.

It was acquired by US broadcaster CBS in May for £140m, and has since partnered with Music Week to provide data on the fastest-growing UK bands and with Sony BMG to stream the label's artists on the site.