Internet Radio: A Cut
Above
by Suzanne Macguire
Imagine a system that would allow you to work, play,
and shop at the same time! Gone are the days of
imagination; with the easy accessibility to the
Internet, the world seems to have come to your feet,
bowing before you with countless information and
entertainment stuff. So when your stressful mind craves
for relaxation, just tune in to your favorite online
radio station for some cool music, or listen to your
favorite talk radio station and unwind your spirits.
Welcome to the world of Internet radio, a world that
would not only serve you with infotainment but also help
you order anything within the matter of a few seconds.
For instance, an advertisement on a radio station
inspires you to purchase a trendy watch. With the
Internet facility near at hand, you can easily log on to
the website and order your purchase right away!
The Internet radio has created a major turnaround in
the field of entertainment. In this fast paced world,
people are always on the move- forever busy with
something or other. 'Time-crunch' is what can be cited
as one of the commonest universal phrase. So when do we
relax or entertain ourselves? The only solution remains
to provide man with a medium that would be with him
wherever he goes. Perpetual mobility can be cited as one
of the major reasons for the evolution of the Internet,
resulting in numerous offshoots of entertainment, online
radio being one of them.
A casual glance around five decades back takes us to
the invention of the traditional radio. Audio
entertainment caught up with the people rapidly but was
slowly diminished with the invention of the television.
However, in the 21st century, the radio once again
reared its head as one of the most popular entertainment
mediums. But on this occasion, the reemergence was not
traditional but modern... the birth of the Internet
Radio! In fact, the popularity charts of Internet radio
show a steady rise on account of a number of factors.
To begin with, the Internet radio can be accessed
from anywhere around the world in comparison to its
traditional counterpart. On the other hand, the power of
a station's transmitter in case of the traditional one
is merely 100 miles. Secondly, the traditional radio has
a broadcast spectrum that catches radio stations
locally. In contrast, Internet radio is not bound by any
geographical location. A radio station of Kentucky can
easily be listened online from Denver or any other place
of the world.
Visual treat is one of the added advantages where
Internet radio scores over the traditional ones.
Traditional radios appeal to the ears while Internet
radio appeals to the eyes and ears as well. An Internet
radio website can display photos, links, program menu,
special attractions and entertainment news briefings.
The ads featured on the Internet radio website can
inspire listeners to make a purchase through the website
itself. Online radio, in this way, encourages
interaction between the customers and the broadcasters.
Interaction over online radio can even be initiated
through training lessons delivered on behalf of the
broadcasters on educative lines. A feedback from the
listeners should be incorporated within the show so as
to encourage more popular participation. As a matter of
fact, popular participation is one of the primary
reasons for the greater popularity of Internet radio
over the traditional medium.
Affordability is another prime factor that has turned
many broadcasters to go online. The cost involved in
getting "on air" is comparatively much less than land
radio broadcast. Moreover, Internet radio has special
appeal even for those 'micro communities' who prefer
listening to a particular genre of music. Traditional
radio broadcasters cannot afford to bring too much
variety in their shows out of fear to lose money. These
broadcasters only cater to the taste of their largest
audience so as to charge maximum out of the advertisers.
The advantages of Internet radio certify its
increasing popularity. Greater variety, visual appeal,
universal accessibility, and affordability make the
online version of the radio more convenient and
user-friendly. Internet radio brings in its
fold the culture, music, and language of countries
across the globe- making the world swing to its tunes!
About the Author
Suzanne is an Internet marketing professional with
expertise in the field of Internet Streaming Media
Broadcasting. Internet Radio Networks