Astral Media is to launch mobile streaming applications for its traditional radio station listeners early in 2011.

The Montreal-based broadcaster’s Orbyt Media division has pacted with the British-based UBC Media Group’s Unique Interactive subsidiary to provide streaming applications for all of its 83 radio stations countrywide.

The content will include contests, social networking events, on-demand content, in addition to library and live music streaming.

The venture comes as Astral and other radio station broadcasters fend off growing competition from the Internet, iTunes and other emerging digital platforms.

“The roll-out of these exciting applications will be a game-changer from a user experience standpoint across all our platforms,” Rob Farina, executive VP of content and platforms for Astral Radio and Orbyt Media, said Monday.

Once launched in early 2011, the Astral streaming applications will be available to the iPhone4, Android-powered devices and BlackBerry devices.