| The word 'radio', in older times, meant | | | | issues, sports updates and commentary, |
| some traditional or terrestrial station | | | | political issues and almost everything |
| whose transmission was carried via large | | | | under the sun. A complete entertainment |
| towers on AM and FM bands. It was a | | | | package as they have become, all that is |
| small box run on electricity or battery | | | | required to listen to these channels is |
| and was often thought of as a primary | | | | a computer with a fast Internet access. |
| source of entertainment and information. | | | | Most of these web-casting systems enable |
| However, times have changed and so has | | | | anybody to host a channel. |
| the radio. Human beings have moved ahead | | | | Another very important aspect of the |
| and technology has advanced in leaps and | | | | Internet radio is its effective |
| bounds since then. These factors have | | | | advertising system. The advertisings are |
| almost made the concept of orthodox | | | | just like the ones used for them of the |
| radio an outdated. | | | | previous generation, but definitely more |
| However, it would be wrong to say that | | | | powerful. The ads have more precise |
| they have become obsolete. In fact, with | | | | targeting opportunities and the |
| the advancement of technology, the "old" | | | | advertisers can know the exact number of |
| radios have taken a new avatar - a new | | | | impressions delivered. These ads often |
| medium through which it can be | | | | combine audio ads with synchronized |
| transmitted to larger masses at once - a | | | | banners and buttons to maximize |
| medium, which is probably more popular | | | | visibility and retain attention. |
| than any other. This new breed of | | | | Thus we can see that the new Internet |
| broadcasting system, known as Internet | | | | radio not only allows the same |
| radio, has emerged. | | | | entertainment provided by its |
| During the mid-nineties, Real-Networks | | | | predecessors, but also offers a lot more |
| came up with an online streaming system | | | | services quite easily. These have |
| called RealAudio. This was probably one | | | | probably resulted in the growth of the |
| of the earliest versions of streaming | | | | Internet radio within quite a short time |
| audio sources. However, plenty of | | | | span. According to some statistics, Over |
| portals soon followed its trails. | | | | 50% of Internet users make use of |
| Technology evolved, newer ideas were put | | | | streaming media and the proportion of |
| in and the new concept was launched. | | | | Americans who have listened to stations |
| These portals allowed hundreds of | | | | online has nearly quadrupled in three |
| web-casters to host their new virtual | | | | years. Moreover, since Americans are |
| "radio stations". Now these stations | | | | observed to be spending less time with |
| started getting various names such as | | | | TV and print and more time on the |
| net and web-radio, web-casting etc. | | | | Internet, the Internet radio is fast |
| Presently there are thousands of | | | | becoming a highly compelling advertising |
| Internet stations to choose from. These | | | | target. These facts clearly suggest that |
| stations offer a wide variety of | | | | a new age in broadcasting and |
| broadcasting. They include channels for | | | | transmission, i.e. the age of the |
| talk shows, streaming music, women's | | | | Internet radio, has arrived! |