Internet radio on the rise

Every single day a new radio station sprouts up from somewhere. Its owner might be someone with no broadcast experience, his only link with the medium being his passion for it.

However, thanks to the Internet, he can attract a global audience and earn some cash while at it.

Welcome to online radio, the alternative for anyone who got discouraged after realising that the airwaves were so packed that getting a frequency to operate on was nearly impossible.

Online radio has become quite popular, with thousands of stations providing free listening to anyone with a media player.

DJ Fresh, a US-based Kenyan disc jockey, strongly believes that online radio is the way to go. So in addition to hosting his e-zine, Kenyangospel.com, he recently launched Kenyangospel.com radio, whose prime target is targets Kenyans in the diaspora.

DJ Fresh says setting up his online radio cost him a substantial amount of money, although he will not divulge how much.

He, however, expresses reservations about Internet sites which claim they can get one’s radio career started for as little as $9.99 (Sh730) a month.

“It is likely that such an arrangement is limited to about 10 listeners, since most site hosts charge per listener,” he says.

No licence needed

Some Internet sites make broadcasting look extremely easy. “You don’t need a licence to broadcast; it’s a hassle-free and completely legal way to get the world to listen to you,” says www.live365.com, a stream hosting website.

So you anyone can just decide to set up their own “radio station” and air material of their choice. In comparison, a government broadcast licence costs Sh130,000.

And you don’t need sophisticated equipment either; www.live365.com, for instance, can give you broadcasting software, complete with a guide, just to get you started, free of charge.

From there, broadcasting to the world becomes as easy as picking out your play list for the day and you’re done. It is said that continuous internet connection is not necessary, although it is meant to be online radio.

There are claims that you can simply upload your favorite music on the site, log off, and let it play for anyone who wishes is interested in listening.

If you have your own website, you can even link your station to it, so that the player automatically starts the music whenever you get a hit. That way, you earn an instant listener, as happens with Capital FM’s and Hope FM’s websites.

The basics for setting up an e-radio station are not too demanding. What you need is a computer with a minimum 48kbps and Internet connection.

Then you must also be able to convert your music to mp3 format and have a software like Virtual DJ that can automatically play the next song, then get a stream hosting server on the net.

For the doubting Thomas, there is a free seven-day trial. And the station can be downloaded and played on multiple players such as RealOne, Windows player, itunes and Winamp, among others.

Spoilt for choice

With these in place, you are all set. There seem to be no ethical boundaries for such stations, but most of the proprietors have chosen the safer option by not having talk.

These stations appeal to free spirited people, who resent regulated material. Besides, listeners are spoilt for choice when it comes to genres, which are as diverse as there are moods.

And there is a radio locator search engine that enables you to pick whatever you fancy, either by genre or station, a complete A-Z selection.

As an online radio proprietor, advertising becomes your source of cash since listener subscription is usually free. The publicity for underground (non-mainstream) radio stations leaves a lot to be desired.

For most underground e-radios, there seems to be a struggle to get the numbers tuning in as some patrons just stumble on to them after a genre search.

Kenya’s MC Shenzi’s Mtaa FM had only two listeners when I checked in, compared with the tens of thousands streaming on other stations.

Mtaa FM features music by underground artistes, who mostly play hip-hop. Mtaa FM, just like Kenyangospelradio.com, is hosted by www.shoutcast.com, which offers live streaming that they send out to listeners.

It is a live event, much like standard FM radio. So online radio seems like its all about freedom. Freedom to speak and be heard, to chose what to listen, whenever.

Perhaps it is a for the little guy to realize his dream of getting into the broadcast industry by working hard.