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| concept of orthodox radio an outdated.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