Free
Internet Radio - Why so Popular?
Internet
radio provides almost unlimited access to numerous specialized
radio stations and streaming MP3 broadcasts. People listen
at home and at work while they're doing another task. Music
is a great way to improve attention and at the same time
relax while you're working. If it improves the working environment,
it won't fade away anytime soon.
Regular
terrestrial-based radio broadcasts suffer from a minimal
number of stations and a limited selection of music. More
and more, these "local radio stations" all play
similar music, often the most popular current hits. Many
of the songs they're playing are considered genre neutral.
That means that a particular singer such as Shania Twain,
may find her songs playing on country, easy rock and pop
stations. I like the ubiquitous Ms. Twain, but I don't want
to listen to her all the time.
Big
name artists dominate air-based radio stations leaving little
opportunity for thousands of other small name artists to
be heard. The high cost of retail CDs and controlled
distribution makes it impossible for new groups to establish
themselves. Internet radio is one of the few publishing
options left for some no-name artists. As we now know, it
works well. Ironically, if a song becomes popular, it would
certainly be bought up by a publisher who wants to make
a quick buck. They would yank it off the free Internet radio
stations fast. The end result, is that Internet radio is
undermined.
Bad
Big Brother and the Word Free
Free
Internet radio offers plenty of variety in music and artists
and lets people listen to the best music in their favorite
music categories. It heralds in a era of user-controlled
music choice. The consumer gets greater choice and new artists
receive an opportunity to get heard. It's a great thing
all around except for the big music corporations that want
to funnel all consumer demand at the few artists they are
willing to represent. That keeps costs down and boosts their
profits.
If you're
feeling music-deprived and feel like you're being railroaded
into buying mediocre music, then you'll enjoy free Internet
radio broadcasts. It's so enjoyable that many people are
wondering how they can receive Internet broadcasts on the
car stereos. There's no doubt that the industry will find
a way to make it happen.
At the
end of this legislative fiasco, consumers will demand access
to the music they really want. If the US market is stifled,
the services will simply migrate to another country where
US law can't follow nor oppress.
Support
the wonderful cause of Free
Internet Radio. No one has the right to control the
new medium of democracy - The Internet.
Recommended
Internet Radio Links:
Web
Radio's Last Stand
- good story on the bad new legislation.
www.saveinternetradio.org/
- Write US congress and tell them NO.
Live 365 Streaming Radio
- Listen to or create your own independent audio broadcast
Shoutcast - Listen
and chat to others who enjoy the same Internet radio music
Real
Networks asks Copyright Office for exemption from 1998
law.
Google
Internet Law Directory - Sites covering Internet governance.
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