Internet Radio?

What can I say? I spend so much more time at sites like YouTube and MySpace, that I really haven't listened to much of it. I know about Last.fm, Live365, Jango, and Pandora. They all do a very good job, and some stations play totally commercial free. But, I also know, however, that a lot of broadcast radio stations are streaming their on air programming over the internet these days.

So, how does anyone feel about that? I know that broadcast radio is still very popular and the way to go if you really want to break through to a wider audience. It would seem that internet radio is really about availability and connectivity. While it's true that portable devices and hand held mobile unit use is on the rise, when it comes to internet connectivity North America ranks third behind Europe and Asia, which is ranked number one.

Though the price of a new desk top or lap top continues to fall, not every one appears to be interested in computing, or at least, not enough to spend an inordinate amount of time surfing the Web. Those with connectivity through the use of their cell phones may still not be using them, to do so. So, if we're continuing to go digital, and continuing to connect our TVs and audio devices to the Web, when and how can and/or will everyone join in the "digital revolution?"

Broadband usage continues to rise, but so does it's cost. Broadband is the speed which an internet service provider offers with speed of access at about 10Mbbs for DSL (digital subscriber line) or 30Mbps for Cable modem. These greater speeds offer users the opportunity to download the larger file sizes of video and music clips with relative ease, allowing the user to experience the Web without the interruptions caused by re-buffering. Otherwise, it can be frustrating trying to listen to a song or watch a movie poking along at 56kps. Currently, America is number twelve behind the the UK and Canada, with Korea leading the pack in Broadband usage. If we're going to get everyone onto the internet it, perhaps we should seriously consider bringing everyone up to speed.

3D and smart TV sets are making their way into the market, but who but the more affluent will actually be able to afford them. I'm not against new technologies. I love technology. I just think that it's a little like putting the cart before the horse. With that being said, it's safe to say that maybe the market for these emerging technologies are those who are already using them. It's estimated that about 77% of the American population is using the internet on a daily basis. That's a little over 3/4 of all Americans. Sounds like enough to do the trick, right? But, still, I could name 10 people right off the top of my head who don't have internet access, or even a computer for that matter. So, how do we arrive at that figure? Anytime your name appears in someones database, you are considered to be an internet user. That's whether you used a computer at the library or local internet cafe or someone typed your name as you applied for a loan or credit card online.

What's any of that have to do with internet radio? If traditional radio is still the best draw, it says a lot about how access to a computer and the internet hasn't made a dent in broadcast radio's territory. In fact it's estimated that 284 million people tuned into traditional radio in 2010. That's a little more than the total number of internet user for this year so far.

While internet radio offers a wider variety, less commercials, and an opportunity to actually buy the music that you're listening to, just like the internet it uses, it represents a business model that will take time to reach our population at large. Meanwhile, just about everyone has a radio in their car.

Still, if you haven't listen to internet radio yet, you may what to give it a listen. Some sites allow you to make your own station that plays the music of your favorite artist and those who are similar to them, for free and without registration. It might be something that you only do while you're surfing the web, or it might just be something you find your self doing a lot more often.