Internet+Radio

=General Definition=

Internet Radio is the term used to describe radio or music that is streamed over the Internet. toc

Benefits of Internet Radio
Possibly the largest benefit that Internet Radio can provide is that it much cheaper and easier to set up your own radio view the internet than a traditional radio cast. Many online radios tend to narrowcast to segmented groups. Also, traditional radio stations have launched an online version of their radio.

The launch of online radio is very simple. All that is needed are music files, MP3’s and CD’s, audio mixer, microphone, and streaming media server software. This allows everyone the opportunity to be heard, if there is an audience.

Another big benefit is the geographic range that the Internet Radio can reach. Traditional radio’s are limited to their towers and how far those towers can reach, with an Internet Radio, they can be heard all over the world. Many people that are from Toronto and move to places far away such as Hong Kong are still able to hear most of their favorite radio stations through the Internet.

The third major benefit offered by Internet Radio is that graphics, text, and links can be streamed as well. This in many cases leads to commercial free listening because the advertising is in a text or small graphic that is streamed along with the radio cast.

Disadvantages of Internet Radio

 * Faster than dial up Internet Speeds are needed for a good connection.
 * Must wait for the radio to buffer and often it is choppy depending on the streaming frequency
 * Quality of Internet Radio is not as high as traditional radio.

Future of Internet Radio
This is a technology that has been there since the late 1990's and has been relatively successful, but has not received the kind of hype that podcasting has. With the expansion of WiFi and WiFi devices Internet Radio may get the audience it needs to flourish because individuals will be able to hear stations from all over the world, all it needs to make the next step is the abilitiy to be portable, so that it can be used in places commonly used by traditional radios.