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History
The Advantage of Internet Radio Over Traditional FM Radio Station
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he world we live in is constantly changing in the way we connect and interact with each other. Technology has enhanced communication allowing individuals to swiftly and limitlessly interact around the world with the click of a button. The affordability of high-performance gadgets such as smartphones, laptops and tablets have provided unlimited access to live streaming and scheduled programming such as music, sports, radio shows, and world news for everyone. Internet Radio is one of these new age, easy to access amenities. While some may not be aware of what internet radio is, it has become an essential avenue to access the digital world. Internet radio (also referred to as web radio, online radio or E-radio) is a digital audio service transmitted via the internet with the help of a software or standalone device. It is then connected to the internet and broadcasted to countless around the world. Pioneered by Carl Malamud in 1993, his radio show, dubbed "Internet Talk Radio", became a great success. By the late 2000s, interest in internet radio began to peak thanks to the availability of portable smart devices.
Internet radio offers great advantages to the world, one being its ability to reach countless listeners around the globe. People with access to a network service provider can tune into their favorite content using an internet radio station from any location in the world. Thanks to compatibility with phones and other smart devices, this cultivates unlimited reach to individuals from various locations, socio-economic background, culture, and demographics. Quality attracts. This is a prominent aspect in which E-radio dominates. Internet radio all around the world boasts exceptional sound quality and reception. Thanks to the internet, E-radio transmissions travel around the world uninterrupted, as they do not require the use of traditional AM or FM frequencies, frequencies which may wane and decompose as a byproduct of distance, location, and the weather. Traditional radio stations broadcast using frequencies that are picked up by radio antennas, which may cause interference, leading to unclear audio transmission. As many have seen with other internet based services, the internet ensures greater audio quality when streaming in comparison to FM radio stations. Visual advertisements are very important to consumers and advertisers alike which presents a great opportunity for internet radio providers. Internet radio stations offer companies the ability to advertise their products and services using interactive videos, surveys, questionnaires and more. Traditional radio stations tend to be restrictive in the advertisements they allow and fail to offer listeners with visual representations of products/services. Choosing internet radio gives the consumer an opportunity to experience products and services as opposed to a more traditional route, such as listening to a catchy advertisement jingle. These visual advertisements offered through internet radio provide a more meaningful experience to the listener, an added benefit for advertisers. As many know, it is important for audiences to have access to a vast array of music which the internet radio supports. From classical music to afro pop, listeners can experience different worlds and cultures through music provided by well rounded content creators on the internet radio, in contrast to solidified and land locked creators on FM radio who may not feel inclined to versatility. AfroVibes, a prominent internet radio station, has been quick to take advantage of internet radio's endless opportunities by offering a wide selection of music genres with an emphasis on traditional, Afro, and Caribbean sounds. Internet radio has transformed the way people connect to the world around them through access to their favorite programs. Quality of sound, coupled with the high level of interactiveness, a vast selection of content, and easy accessibility, brings listeners from around the world an affordable, stable connection to endless numbers of content creators and businesses. As E-radio continues to advance in technology and improve on ways listeners can tune in, the world is seeing that the future of internet radio is limitless.
- Written by Samuel Ogburubi
