How we developed a mobile app that helped Mast FM grow their audience by 23%

Challenges

A major radio station with no mobile presence in an increasingly digital market

Mast FM 103 is one of the largest radio stations in Asia, but their audience was tuning in through a single channel: traditional FM broadcast. There was no mobile app, no digital listening experience, and no way to reach the growing segment of listeners who consume audio content primarily on their phones. At the same time, streaming platforms and digital radio apps were pulling listeners away from traditional broadcast. Without a mobile presence, Mast FM had no way to compete for the attention of younger, mobile-first audiences, and no channel to deepen engagement beyond the live broadcast itself.

A cross-platform mobile app built for live radio, real-time engagement, and low-latency streaming

Neural Lab designed and built a full-stack mobile application for Mast FM from the ground up. The app was built using a hybrid approach: React Native for cross-platform flexibility, with Android-specific features implemented in Kotlin and Jetpack Compose to ensure native performance and smooth UI interactions where it mattered most. The app gives listeners live radio streaming with low-latency audio, browsable show schedules, real-time push notifications, and the ability to interact with on-air segments directly from their phones. Every layer of the experience was designed around how people actually listen on mobile: quick access to live audio, minimal friction, and a clean interface that keeps listeners engaged rather than reaching for a competing app.

23% audience growth and 41% of all listeners now on mobile

Following the app's launch, Mast FM's total listening audience grew by 23%, driven by the accessibility and reach of the new mobile platform. Mobile users now account for 41% of Mast FM's total audience, a number that continues to climb. The app became a core channel for listener engagement, contributing to longer listening sessions and increased advertiser interest. For Mast FM, the app did more than add a new channel. It transformed how the station reaches and retains its audience, giving them a digital presence that competes directly with streaming platforms while preserving the live, interactive format that defines their brand.