Download & Record Internet Radio Guide | Listen Satellite Radio
Internet radio is a bonanza for the music industry. Internet radio is also known by other names like web radio, streaming radio and e-radio webcasting etc. Music streaming on the Internet is called webcasting. It is not transmitted broadly through wireless means but essentially as an audio service via the Internet.
Web radio stations are admired for their low operational cost and high efficiency by which users can make own webcasts or podcasts. The Internet radio offers streaming media and presents the listeners with a continuous stream of audio that cannot be paused or replayed as in traditional broadcast media. What is unique about Internet radio is that it can deliver the favourite radio station for a listener even if he is not physically present in the limits of that area.
The service from Internet radio comes free. According to US based market research company, NPD Group, “Internet radio is the fastest growing medium for music fans in the United States”. Thanks to its growth, most reggae artistes in the US are looking up to it as an alternative outlet for their music career. According to a leading musician, web radio is attractive vis a vis traditional stations because of the expensive time on traditional stations that is not affordable to all.
The success stories in internet radio station space are too many; live365 that streams music is a hot model. Initial costs for setting up an Internet radio station is a bit high even though it is abysmally lower than the actual costs in setting up a conventional radio station.
The modalities to start an Internet Radio include creation of a website; installing systems like microphone; designated broadcast computer; CD players etc. Over all the start-up cost can come anywhere around $3,000.
With Internet radio gaining traction on the back of high rates on lease-time radio, market watchers are sure that web radio will become the premium choice for music lovers. Another shot in the arm for web radio is the boom in automobiles fitted with web radio. Most car owners are increasing access to Internet radio stations. Obviously the fortunes of web radio are set to change positively in the coming days.
The big bang growth of web radio in the time to come will depend on the scale of reforms that will happen in the copyright system where simpler norms will pave way for stations to license music. Links to internet radio stations can be had from many media players. Winamp’s full free player (barring the Lite version) gives a massive catalogue of radio streams listed in its Media Library.
To conclude, the second decade of the new millennium is witnessing internet radio’s golden age. Commercial radio will continue to follow set marketing formulas, repetitiveness and celebrity obsessions as a compulsion from its mass audience. But internet radio being young is untamed and needs to be watched.
