Webcast Radio...Radio On The Internet
A continual audio stream broadcast over the Internet is called a radio webcast. Radio webcasts come in all shapes and sizes. There are free radio webcasts and there are radio webcasts for paid subscribers only. Radio webcasts can also be live or recorded. Listeners tune into radio webcasts with the latest versions of popular software such as Real Player, Media Player, or QuickTime Player. Webcast Radio Technology
Radio webcasts are made possible by audio streaming technology which facilitates the broadcast of radio over the Internet. First, the audio file is translated and encoded into a format that can be streamed. Converting the audio into a format capable of being heard by humans requires the use of audio webcasting software. So the encoded audio stream is sent out over the Internet and received by the software the listener has installed on their computer. The player translates the streamed audio file into the sound recognized by the human ear. Radio Webcasting Applications A broad range of webcast radio programs have been broadcast using radio webcasting technology including: 1. Music Radio Webcasts A wide range of music radio webcasts can be found online covering almost all types and genres of music imaginable. Some radio webcasts are very specific, Celtic Christian radio webcasts for example. There are also generational radio webcasts that play music from the 60s or 70s for example as well as world music radio webcasts. Think of it like all the music channels that are available through cable companies these days. There are dozens of choices and it's the same with radio webcasts. 2. News Radio Webcasts News radio webcasts are available in several varieties too. Do you wan to hear your local news headlines? No problem. There's a webcast for that. Maybe you've moved and you'd like to hear the local news from your old hometown. That webcast is available too. And just like on regular radio and TV, you can listen to talk radio with guests and discussions of world happenings. 3. Sports Radio Webcasts If you love sports, you'll love sports radio webcasts. There's a webcast for just about any team in any sport so chance are you'll be able to listen to your favorite team's games via radio webcast. In addition to the games, there are "sports radio" webcasts where the hosts discuss the latest news, trades, standings, rumors, and other happenings in the world of sports. 4. Information Radio Webcasts Information radio webcasts just as the name suggests are mainly to provide information. The information could be targeted to a particular group of people such as homeowners or gardeners or it could focus on a particular topic such as planning for retirement. 5. Foreign Language Radio Webcasts If English is not your native language, perhaps you'd be interested in a foreign language radio webcast. You'll find a radio webcast in all the popular languages. And if you're an English speaker traveling or living in Europe for example, it won't be difficult to find an English language radio webcast wherever you are considering how ubiquitous the Internet has become. Streaming audio technology can be used for more than just radio webcasts. Other uses for streaming audio technology include: 1. Advertisements on websites; 2. Background music; 3. Greeting messages; Webcast Radio Advantages Radio webcasting offers several advantages and benefits depending on your personal situation. 1. Radio webcasts allow radio stations to reach a wider audience worldwide; 2. Internet radio stations are much less expensive to set up than traditional radio stations; 3. Radio webcasting provides more opportunities for musicians to be heard; 4. Companies can provide information radio webcasts on the websites; 5. Simplicity...if you can surf the Internet, you can listen to a radio webcast. Technological advances have been affecting our everyday lives for decades now and even the old school transistor radio is not immune to change. Hopefully it's all for the better. Enjoy your next radio webcast. |
