IF you’re tuning in to a Boris Johnson interview, it’s safe to assume a fair chunk of it will be incomprehensible.
There was little change this morning then as listeners of the new Times Radio station expecting to hear the Prime Minister were mistakenly directed to a station in Malawi.
Times Radio launched today with a large budget, high-profile presenters and an exclusive interview with Johnson.
The only problem was that listeners using Amazon’s Alexa smart speakers were instead directed to a station in Malawi with a similar name – Times Radio Malawi.
Good morning to Times Radio Malawi, “the radio experience that engages all Malawians at different social economic levels”, who have taken possession of the Alexa command for “play Times Radio” and now have a lot of extra listeners. pic.twitter.com/0RHJAEZCoF
— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) June 29, 2020
The music and talk station, which offers a “radio experience that engages all Malawians at different social economic levels”, was broadcasting a discussion of Malawi’s politics in the Chichewa language, as well as music.
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Fortunately, listeners expecting to hear the new station from Rupert Murdoch’s News UK weren’t too dissatisfied with the alternative from Malawi.
Have you told Alexa? I am listening to Times Radio Malawi at the moment. Some great music! https://t.co/Jf35J6VNIm
— Steve Collins (@KingstonRUG) June 29, 2020
Asked Alexa to try the new Times Radio. Getting a station from Malawi. Sounded more upbeat.
— Jono (@jonoread) June 29, 2020
Google smart speaker users also had problems. Some were directed to Radio X – after the devices mistook the word “Times” for the multiplication sign.
Whenever Boris Johnson is involved, blunders are guaranteed.
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