| For the past 5 years internet connectivity has seen massive growth of broadband capabilities not only from the computer but from mobile devices as well. With the maturity and now outdated Edge technology that has been replaced by the matured 3G speed and soon to be replaced with 4G gives radio the power to target demographics and listeners around the world through the internet. Having a large abundance of mobile technologies that can connect to the internet from nearly any location gives internet radio a massive economic and market outreach compared to classic analog radio such as AM and FM station and also including the pay per month, Satellite Radio.
Internet radio made its mark in early 1998 with the explosion of the internet. It was mostly targeted to internet savvy users who would be on their computer ready to tune into a music/talk show station. However today, listeners can now tune into mobile internet radio from devices such as the iPad iPhone, Android, Blackberry and other Smartphone devices. For example, a listener has the ability to tune into the internet radio show from their bedroom without a laptop or desktop computer. No longer does an internet radio listener need to sit in front of their computer to listen to their favorite stations, rather simply connecting using Edge, 3G or 4G listeners can simply tune in from anywhere. What are some of the examples where listeners can tune in from? Take for example the automobile. Using a Smartphone’s Bluetooth capability, a listener can connect to their car stereo and begin to stream their favorite internet radio station. An excellent post on this is from the famous global electro and progressive music radio station, Pure.FM Radio (http://www.pure.fm) where they posted in their blog the steps to get started. It also includes steps if you don't have Bluetooth (see article for the iPhone: http://blog.pure.fm/featured/how-i-use-pure-fm-mobile-iphone and article for Android: http://blog.pure.fm/featured/listen-to-pure-fm-pure-fm-on-the-go-with-android-devices ).
Aside from the capability for internet radio stations to give listeners the ability to stream from any location, nearly all of them are commercial free. Imagine having the ability to listen to trance, techno, electro, hip-hop, talk radio and other favorite genres on the radio with no commercials in high digital quality. Essentially internet radio is going to be the killer against Satellite radio and outdated Analog Radio. If stations that are bound to Satellite and Analog do not change their business approach then they will be wiped out by the hawks of internet radio.
Overall the approach Internet Radio has taken naturally gives it a competitive edge against Satellite and Analog radio stations. Of course analog stations are designed to service a local demographic but again their limitation will affect their business.
As for Satellite with its monthly charges, internet radio does not have a fee thus wiping out the Satellite market segment. In the future, with stronger broadband capability, internet radio will dominate and leave Satellite and Analog out in the barren desert.
Electro Music, Internet Radio |
