Unfortunately, the record industry doesn’t want online radio stations to be run as hobbies. It’s hard to understand
why they don’t, except it’s likely
they would prefer royalties to
come from a few of the biggest
artists as opposed to thousands
of small artists. With internet
radio stations shutting down,
independent artists will get far
less airplay, and listeners will be
steered back to the major mainstream artists who bring in the
most royalty money.
Terrestrial (AM/FM) radio stations face competition from
internet radio stations. Both internet radio stations and most
terrestrial stations stream their
signals online and many people
listen to these stations on their
work computer. The average
music fan can also listen to radio
stations via apps on his or her
phone.
NewJerseyStage.com
For terrestrial radio stations
who have invested in tens of
thousands of dollars in equipment to broadcast, the idea that
someone can have the same signal from a station run by a hobbyist must be frustrating. And
it’s only going to get worse.
Most people listen to the radio
while driving, but when was the
last time you listened to the radio via your stereo or an actual
radio? With more “internet connected cars” hitting the market
each year, terrestrial radio is
starting to lose its one big advantage. It’s already easy for
people to listen to online radio
stations in their car from phone
apps like TUNEIN — if the app is
built into a car with wi-fi it becomes even easier.
An even playing field would be
great for independent musicians
as it would allow online radio
stations to grow their audiences
and introduce them to people
2016 - ISSUE 1
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