International Herald Tribune Launches Personalised Audio News Feed

IHT claims it is the first English language website to launch a service where audio articles are 'dynamically generated' using the voices of professional readers. The site - which receives 2.7 million unique readers a month - is using audio versions of its text stories for the news service.

Articles are converted into audio by a web speech-enabling service provided by Swedish company ReadSpeaker. Visitors to IHT.com can either stream stories or download articles from the site.

The service also allows the creation of a personalised audio feed - either to iTunes or other podcasting software - from 16 different news categories such as business, arts and leisure, sports, editorial and commentary.

Last week BBC director general Mark Thompson announced plans to offer 'personalised' radio online, to allow audiences to create personal radio stations. UK broadcaster Channel 4, which recently launched an online radio station, has similar plans to create a 'user unique' radio service. - Oliver Luft, via Journalism.co.uk