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| concept of orthodox radio an outdated.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