We've just returned from Amsterdam where we've had the delight of showcasing the latest updates to PlayoutONE and Scheduler at IBC 2026 - but for those who couldn't make it to the trade show floor, we don't want you to miss out.
Later this year, we're releasing version 6 of our radio automation system PlayoutONE. It's been completely refreshed with a bold new look. It's still powered by our incredible Audio Engine under the hood - but we've gone over every detail, color, icon, label, layout and bit of functionality to make it even easier to use and filled with features to streamline your stations.
You may have had the chance to see the new look for Control Room at events like NAB in the past year - with the supercharged dashboard, clearer log, triple stack and more.
But what about WebVT? Well, as first seen at IBC, that's been updated to match. Here it is:
Our big ambition with the new PlayoutONE is to improve usability - so whether you're in the studio in Control Room, or on the road with WebVT, PlayoutONE will feel more consistent and more familiar.
You'll see similarities in the dashboard - including the Live Assist and Automation toggle - as well as in the log, when editing markers, and more. We've moved various settings to where they'll be most useful, and added clearer labels to reduce confusion. Getting to grips with the new PlayoutONE should involve quicker training and empower members of your team to get more from it.
Also at IBC...
We're adding first-class support for Elgato's Stream Deck devices with PlayoutONE! These customizable keypads have become a familiar feature in broadcast operations worldwide and we've been working on a dedicated integration for key tasks. This means you'll even be able to see the current progress of playing items, their chain status and what automation mode you're in - all updated in real-time!
Plus, we'd like to say a huge thank you to Radio World, who named Aiir Scheduler as a recipient of their 2026 Best Of Show awards. At the show we were demonstrating all the latest updates, including automatic scheduling and exporting. If you'd like to see how our web-based tool can speed up creating your music logs and give you the flexibility to schedule from anywhere, you can give it a try with our 14-day free trial. Import your existing library and get started today!
Still to come...
PlayoutONE version 6 is coming out later this year - we're currently putting it through its paces with some intense testing.
It'll be available as a free update for existing Pro customers, booked via our support team. We'll let you know when this is available here on the Aiir blog or by signing up to our newsletter.
But if you'd like to get your hands on it before then - we'll be in Vancouver, Canada from October 5th to 7th for the Western Association of Broadcast Engineers conference. Come by our booth and try the new PlayoutONE and WebVT. We'd love to see you there.
