Do you think the internet radio was always in the picture? Not really; it was only two decades back that it came to the limelight.
It is true that radio broadcasting has never remained static and has only evolved over the years. For many, it is hard to imagine that a radio signal was first developed to transmit messages through Morse codes.
And my children were equally curious about the functioning of radio signals and how they eventually evolved into internet radio. The endless knowledge that can be acquired through internet radio was what fueled my children's interest.
This made me think, why not conduct detailed research on the history of internet radio? I converted this thought into action and came up with this read that has a clear record of how internet radio has come to life.
If you are interested to know about its inception and its functioning, then you're at the right place. So, without any further delay, let's dive right in!
How Did It All Start?
It was back in 1993 that the first ever internet radio station came into the picture and I would tune in the right after dropping my children off at school in the morning. All thanks to Carl Malamud; many like me could enjoy this new evolution of the digital era.
Carl decided to name his station “Internet Talk Radio,” a fairly simple name during that time. You would think that it must have played the popular music of the day, but that's not what the channel focused on. Instead, you would get to hear interviews of public figures and learn a few things about technology and modern science.
Many followed Carl's suit and new broadcasters soon started coming into the picture. And honestly, the experiments with internet radio in the later years were nothing short of amazing! In fact, I got the opportunity to attend a Rolling Stone concert online in 1994 via internet radio.
Moreover, Mick Jagger showered listeners with a special welcome, and since then, there has been a significant rise in internet radio broadcasting. It soon shifted from individual operators to more prominent players taking the stage. And just a few years down the line, Nullsoft and Microsoft were revolutionizing this space.
So, all people had to do was simply install an app free of cost and listen to online content on computers. As a result, the world saw a steady rise in the number of online listeners tuning in every day, which gave rise to more channels and radio stations.
What Did It Involve?
I have spoken a lot about the inception of internet radio without really focusing on what it involves. Broadly, internet radio can be classified into the following categories:
- Independent producers who make their own content
- Online platforms that prioritize your choice
- Media houses that make individual content
In the case of traditional FM radios, the trick to keep the listeners hooked can get tricky. Even if you end up listening to the 3rd song in a row, then it is a real success. And for this, the channels rely highly on advertisements and how good the host is.
But unlike FM radio, internet radio has a significant advantage in terms of tracking listeners. Simply put, it’s easier to understand the user base of a particular channel. All you need to do is check the subscription list or see how many people are tuning in.
However, this is almost impossible for offline radio as new users get added every day, some of whom are entirely guided by emotions. This, in turn, makes understanding the market very difficult. On the other hand, online radio channels can efficiently study the usage patterns of listeners. With the help of social networking sites, it’s even possible to get essential data points on users' age, gender, and location.
How Does It Work?
Since the inception of internet radio, the central focus has been on producing and delivering the program digitally from one computer to another. Instead of using radio waves, this medium transfers the files in real-time to computers, smartphones and other devices.
With the internet boom in 1995, it became possible to transmit data in real-time. And this was when internet radio witnessed its first surge in popularity.
The internet radio that you see today uses a wide range of formats for live audio transmission. Sometimes the files are in the MP3 or MP4 format, and at other times they may be in RA, WMA, or AAC formats.
Besides, the best part about this medium is that it can afford to have a lot of variation, unlike traditional radio. Long story short, it has practically no limitations when it comes to internet transmission technology.
So, you can virtually tune into any radio station from across the world; all you would need is a stable internet connection to listen to live shows, performances, and songs. And it goes without saying that this has, in a way, tied the globe together.
- Listen to Thousands of Radio Stations from Around the World With Clear Reception - More than 25,000+ internet radio stations categorized by Location, Genre and Most Popular. Discover radio shows you love. Thousands of free rock, jazz, news and talk shows to choose from! All you need is an internet connection. Add your own favorite stations by submitting a valid URL to Skytune.
- Bluetooth receiving included so that you can send audio from a smartphone or tablet to the CC WiFi 3 Internet Radio. A 5dBi external antenna is included for best 2.4 Ghz Wi-Fi reception and distance within your home.
- Great Audio With Full Voice Clarity – Includes a line-out which can be used for remarkable results with an amplified speaker system or any AM, FM stereo receiver for superior audio. An adjustable equalizer (Line Out and Headphone) for advance users centered at 105, 300, 850, 2400 and 6800 Hz plus an adjustable 3D setting for depth. Settings can be adjusted to your ear.
- Listen the global radios via internet( about 40 thousand radio stations)
- Listen traditional radios via FM, LW, MW or SW(SSB),It can adjust the reception bandwidth, can display signal strength and SNR, can connect to an external antenna.
- Add streaming radio stations easily, support all audio formats such as mp3, AAC, m3u8, etc.
Final Words
On that note, I have reached the end of this comprehensive guide.
There’s no doubt that the internet radio is the future. Marketing experts and global audiences feel alike as everyone thinks that internet radio is an evolving landscape. So, I am sure that you are yet to witness many more interesting discoveries on this platform.
For example, the new radio that I just bought comes with pre-installed Wi-Fi, so you can imagine how internet radio is getting incorporated into other forms of transmission as well. And honestly, I am not at all surprised, as this is the future of audio media. Be it news, entertainment, or infotainment; you will find it all here.
In case you have any more questions, feel free to write to me in the comments section below. See you another day!