Internet Radio is Fast Becoming the "Next Big Thing"

Added: 02/15/2006

Internet radio can be defined as broadcasting via the Internet, referred sometimes as "streaming". Not every Internet radio station features the corresponding traditional radio station, many of them being completely independent and broadcast on the Internet only. Relayed over the Internet, a radio signal makes it possible to get easy access to nearly every station in the world, which contributes to its popularity among expatriates and people interested in the music trends that may not be catered for by the local radio stations.

Among the range of the Internet radio services are those offering news, talkback and sports in addition to various genres of music. The most common way of distributing Internet radio is by means of streaming technology, using the lousy audio codec. The most popular of these is MP3 codec, followed by Windows Media Audio, Real Audio and Ogg Vorbis.

Three main components of the audio stream include audio stream source, audio stream repeater and audio stream playback. As far as the ways of creating audio stream source are concerned, it is possible to opt for Shoutcast service, utilizing Winamp, and Shoutcast DSP, delivering MP3 audio at higher bit rates. Among other methods are such open source technologies as stream-db, Streamcast, MuSE and IceS, as well as some patent-free formats like Ogg Vorbis.

Out of the most prominent Internet radio networks two make themselves conspicuous -- Shoutcast and Live365, which together with the other Internet radio servers cover a variety of Internet radio stations with an extensive list of genres.

Another popular way of listening to internet radio is by using a virtual tuner, which provides the listener with the opportunity to find Internet broadcasts by location, genre or language. One of the numerous advantages of the virtual tuner is that it avoids re-broadcasting the Internet broadcast, avoiding in such a way the infringement of its copyright. With its most reliable set of links and more than 7,800 broadcasts worldwide, the virtual tuner service maintains the reputation of a market leader.

To enjoy listening to streaming MP3 audio, you'll need audio playback hardware or software, capable of reading the HTTP data streams. Some leading software players include XMMS for Linux, Winamp for Windows and iTunes for Microsoft Windows and Macintosh. Due to the limited choice of hardware devices on the market, listening to internet radio through such devices hasn't enjoyed wide popularity. However their consumer popularity is expected to increase following 2006.

Speaking about the Internet broadcasting, special attention should be paid to web radio programs and radio talk shows, allowing users to rate songs they are listening to. Some of them feature interviews and commentary on political issues of the day, like the Al Franken Show, seen as the flagship talk show on Air America Radio. Premiered in March 2004 as the O'Franken Factor, the show broadcasting was transferred from New York City to Minneapolis, Minnesota, changing its name to the Al Franken Show.

Among the permanent guests of the show are James Fallows, David Brock, Christy Harvey, Joe Conason and Paul Krugman. Broadcast from North Dakota, Ed Schultz Show was launched in January 2004 with financial support from Democracy Radio. With the network of more than 100 it includes eight of ten largest radio markets. Ed Schulz show is frequently carried as a part of the lineup that features one or more Air America Radio shows. In June 2005 Product First purchased the Ed Schultz Show shares owned by Democracy Radio.

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