Internet Radio

I used to listened to KIIS FM in LA when Rick Dees was anchoring the morning show.  It's what we all listened in the morning from about eight until ten.  For me it started early on my drive on the 405.  Everyone in the lab was addicted to KIIS in the morning.

Then a friend of mine moved overseas and one thing that he kept bring up was how he missed the morning radio shows.  Then someone told him that he could get the show streamed to him over the Internet.  Then life was good again.  That is until KIIS blocked access to overseas.



I have been listen to Internet radio for years now.  My question is should we call this Internet radio or radio over the Internet?  Or something like LivePods?  Back in the early days when Real Audio dominated the Internet, it was a great software not only because it brought audio to the mass over the Internet but it bundled together a small list of radio stations for easy access.



These days like the iTunes, Windows Media, and AOL Radio, to name a couple applications, has hundreds if not thousands of stations only clicks away.  And with greater and faster Internet access, you only need your browser.  Here are a few of the major sites that provide radio access over the Internet:

• AOL Radio
  
  


• ShoutCast - it is powered by AOL Radio, apparently.
  
  


• Live365
  
  


• Pandora


• Last.fm

Of the five Internet sites, Last.fm is what I consider truly Internet radio because the listener gets to tag what he or she is listen to.  As for selection, these five and others like it provide listeners of music, news, or talk a wide selection from all over the world.  

What will happen to the radio now?  It's still going strong and does not seem to be in as much trouble as broadcast television.  And while HD radio has not picked up, radio remains one of the most widely used entertainment avenue in the world.



I do wonder how much more traction podcasts and Internet Radio like Last.fm are likely to gain when mobility increases?  And what of satellite radio?  I have limited experience with satellite radio (mainly because of having to pay for a device and monthly fees), but I have extensive exposure to podcasts.  I have to say the ability to download and listen to programs at my leisure is very compelling (I just don't want to spend Friday nights at home listening to Science Friday on NPR).



So whether you're at coffee shop, work, or home, access to a wide range of original programming and music is available on your iPhone (I finally installed 2.0 last night and I'm loving the radio apps from iTunes), laptop, or PC.



As a mobile warrior who likes some distraction at times, the Internet radio app is indispensable.  I like to know what others are doing to get their feeds.



Have a great Monday!