Going with the flow: The rise of internet radio streaming
There’s a good chance you’ve already heard of #InternetRadio.
It’s currently the easiest and most cost-effective way for companies to broadcast radio to listeners all around the world.
Building on the incredible beginnings of radio technology, online radio aims to eliminate some of the common problems of terrestrial radio. Not only does it provide consumers with a broader range of channels to tune into, but unlike FM and AM stations, internet broadcasting isn’t limited by geographical location.
As the world has grown increasingly digital, internet-based radio stations have soared in popularity. Today, there are thousands of channels to choose from across the globe, each offering their own unique range of shows and programmes.
So, where did internet radio stations begin, and are they the future of broadcasting?
Let’s find out.
Online radio 101: The basics of internet radio
Internet radio is radio that broadcasts over the World Wide Web.
Usually, listeners will tune into online stations through Wi-Fi enabled apps or an URL on a computer. These stations are very easy to find, and they feel very familiar to a standard FM station. For instance, you can’t pause or rewind an #OnlineRadio show. However, you’ll often find that the quality of audio from an internet station is better in some ways than a traditional FM signal.
Aside from amazing audio, internet radio stations also give users access to endless opportunities when it comes to listening to digital content. You can tune into broadcasts from all around the world, without having to worry about distance-based limitations.
The world’s first internet radio station was designed by a man called Carl Malamud in 1993. Carl’s “Internet Talk Radio” channel featured interviews with public figures in science and technology. After demand for #RadioStreaming technology started to grow, other groups began to experiment. In 1993, the first internet concert appeared on air from the band “Severe Tire Damage.” In 1994, Mick Jagger opened a concert for the rolling stones online.
The evolution of internet radio
In 1994, the first traditional station to stream internet radio appeared. WXYC in North Carolina used an FM radio connected to a digital system to broadcast around the world. In the mid-1990s, technology brands also began to support the rise of internet radio, by designing applications that allowed users to stream content more easily on their computers.
The popularity of internet #RadioStations grew very quickly around the world.
In 1996, Virgin Radio in London started broadcasting their entire programme live on the internet. In the early 2000s, the radio community began experimenting with streaming over HTTP protocols, making it easier to deliver digital content to the masses. We even learned how to make bandwidth use more economical, so that internet radio could become more efficient and effective.
Today, the benefits of online radio continue to develop as companies come up with new and improved ways to package and transmit information online.
The benefits of streaming internet radio
Just as DAB radio broadcasting emerged as an innovative alternative to FM/AM stations, internet radio is paving the way for a new kind of broadcasting.
#InternetBroadcasting provides more diversity and choice than any other streaming solution on the market. There are thousands of stations available today, and there’s no need to limit yourself based on geographical reach. You can tune into stations from the other side of the globe, and still expect an incredible quality of audio.
Additionally, thanks to the flexibility of the World Wide Web, companies can broadcast more than just audio online too. It’s possible to share everything from videos to animations and images. Although it’s less likely that consumers would be viewing visual ads through their internet radio on-the-go.
Unlike traditional, or “terrestrial” radio stations, internet stations aren’t exposed to the same environmental factors and sources of interference that can throw your listening off-track. You won’t lose an internet radio connection just because you go through a tunnel. However, you do need to make sure that you constantly have access to a reliable internet connection.
Because internet radio relies on data bandwidth, there’s always a cost to consuming this kind of entertainment. If you’re connected to your Wi-Fi at home or a wired connection, then you shouldn’t have a problem. However, if you’re trying to listen to internet radio on-the-go, then you’ll need to access a mobile connection. This means that internet broadcasting can be more expensive to the consumer than AM/FM, or DAB.
Is internet radio the future of broadcasting?
Many marketing and media reports suggest that internet radio stations will be a huge part of our future. They’re set to change the way that we access information and consume entertainment. However, they might not be the only path forward for radio technology.
While countless people use devices, phones, and computers to stream digital entertainment today, there’s still a limit to how much you can do with online radio. For instance, the fact that you might have to pay for your data consumption to access internet on-the-move makes online radio less attractive.
Rather than embracing internet radio as the one and only future for broadcasting, it’s more likely that we’ll see companies investing in a combination of DAB and online technology.
Want to learn more about internet radio stations? Check out our latest article for insights into the history of online radio, its future, and its benefits.
If you love exploring the world of radio, then you can also check out the RadioFidelity website, for information on everything you need to know about radios and broadcasting.
Stay tuned to the latest radio industry insights with Radio Fidelity.
#OnlineRadio, #InternetRadio, #RadioStations, #InternetBroadcasting, #RadioStreaming
