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| outdated.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