Internet Radio Call Signs

[Vanlen]

Hi:

 

Did a search here on BW but couldn't find anything regarding Internet only Radio Station call signs. There is a group that is creating a database of such and for use on web radios. Sounds like a good idea.

 

 

 

Anyone have anything positive or concerns on the National Association of Digital Broadcasters call signs?

Here is who and what they are about

 

http://www.iruc.org/docs/about.shtml

 

Main page here

http://www.iruc.org/

 

 

Cheers

[billh]

How can they say call signs for internet only. When they are showing stations with call signs like 98.8, 101.1 etc. The net isn't set up for call signs. You have your station name, URL and brand it, not a call sign. Sorry but if anyone is crazy enough to pay for that, they have a screw missing.

 

To me someone came up with an idea to make money off of hobby broadcasters. Trying too make them think they should get a call sign. When all you do is brand your station name or URL depends on how you look at it. You get that out you don't need to pay for anything, you pay enough.

 

But as they say, There's a sucker born every min.

 

But Uncle Sam will get wind of that and make them pay a fee to the Govt as well you watch. Reason "To track Internet Radio Stations within the USA"

[GKIye]

hmmmmm

 

Strange way to do business ... well thats how it looks to Me

 

The content learns Me that they talk about US (American) streaming projects, afterall they write "The National Association ...."

 

My point of view is :

- the so known partners are not 100% American

- Reciva was founded in Australia and is currently registrated in Cambridge - UK https://www.reciva.com/index/about

- StationPlaylist has a postal address in New Zealand - http://www.stationplaylist.com/contact.html

- TuneIn is founded in The Netherlands - and it looks that they have also an office at Cambridge UK

 

So if 3 of the 5 partners are located outside of the USA, I can't imagine that they are talking about a National association

 

They show Reciva as one of their partners ...

yes, its right, Reciva is one of the leading streaming providers to portable digital internet radio gear (for use at home etc - similar to the old transistor radio)

Reciva is since 4 Years (more or less) sold at stores ... so everyone can listen and enjoy at home I-Radio

However the clue is ... Reciva is NOT using the "name" of a station as ID into their station list ... They are using a number (example https://radios.reciva.com/station/41553 )

Thats also what TuneIn does ... they are using as ID "sXXXXXX" (Every X stands for a fixed number and is always used with an "s" in front)

 

So I agree with Bill that young people or people who don't have any background concerning broadcasting in general gonna think that they are "the station" with a real call sign similar to FM/AM radio, however it looks to Me that they gonna buy an "empty box"

[johny c]

To me this looks like a load of s***, If your dumb enought to sign with them dont come crying when you have lost your money.

[Vanlen]

If your dumb enought to sign with them dont come crying when you have lost your money.

LOL

The reason I asked was yes, I bought it and it looks nice but that's about it.

 

I've been in the biz for over 30 years and I've bound to get roped at one point.

 

Thanks all

 

Cheers

[johny c]

Vanlen I wasnt being mean to you , its just people like this piss me off. Its hard enough now to make any money from broadcasting without sites like this sucking people in and stealing from you.

[cr08]

I do have to say that one thing mentioned on the site does make sense: Ease for listeners to find their favorite stations especially when on streaming specific devices and not computers. But, of course, with no specific regulation on this it doesn't stop anyone from doing this now with no money needed to be spent.

 

On that thought, do any of the station directories like TuneIn allow you to enter keywords for your station that can be used as search terms to find them?

[Vanlen]

Vanlen I wasnt being mean to you

 

LOL, it's okay johny c. As they say Buyer beware!. Yes, cr08 that's exactly why I found it interesting for keywords in a station directory for separate web radio devices by punching in XXX-DB etc. When I'm at that point of adding directories when my stream goes public I'll give it a go....heck, I paid for it so I'll try it out and let you know.

 

The certificate looks nice by the way in a supplied plain cardboard frame.

 

Cheers

[Urban Hitz Radio]

Well, I bought into it...and it's only $24, so it's not that bad. People are making too much of this. No one is saying anything about hobbyists using frequencies to brand their station, when in fact, these hobbyists do NOT have an FCC license to lease such frequncy! And might I mind you that these are NOT kids using frequencies to brand their station, they are FULL BLOWN ADULTS!

GET Off the pipe!

 

JE

[SpazzRadio]

The "sponsors" listed on the right side are listed as "Broadcaster Resources" on the about page. so they are most likely not affiliated in any way, but merely there to make it look legit.

 

They are using the same system as Terrestrial stations in the US (K or W prefix based on location). If you end up using the call letters of a terrestrial station already in existence, then you can most likely be sued by the station who owns that call sign since most terrestrial stations also have an online presence.

 

Why would an internet call sign system use geographic location prefix? possibly a country prefix would make sense, but not eastern or western USA.

 

Even more appropriate if this were to be seriously considered would be a prefix of ... wait for it ... 'I'

 

And considering there is no regulation of this, then you can pick whatever call sign you want and start branding your station as such (as long as the call sign is not in use by someone else ... obviously).

 

BTW ... claiming ISPZ, IAHC, IHTZ, and IRKZ

[Urban Hitz Radio]

I did a 25 page google search and found quite a few stations have joined the NADB and registered call letters. One station is KJAZ Smooth Jazz. I couldn't imagine that those calls were NOT in use by a Jazz station somewhere. If not...GREAT FIND!

 

JE

[SpazzRadio]

In fact, the call letters KJAZ are licensed to a station in Point Comfort, TX. the station has been 'Silent' since 2008 because of a lack of transmitter license, but they still retain the call sign license for future use.

 

If that station were to start broadcasting again they would probably have a case against the internet radio's use of the call sign.

[Urban Hitz Radio]

Ok,

 

so I received my package with my certificate today. 2 days after registering with the National Association of Digital Broadcasters. The certificate arrived in a nice heavy cardboard envelope, with a nice shiny NADB folder, that's all glossy.

 

 

 

 

 

JE

[Vanlen]

Yes, that's exactly what I received too, although I'm in Canada, but the registration office for my document was of all places Dublin, Ireland. It looks nice and official. That's why I asked everyone if it was a scam. It's a great idea though if it catches on. You could use Google Street view to show where the address is located.

 

Cheers

[Urban Hitz Radio]

Yup.

Something interesting though. I did search a few certificates via Google and I saw them in Archived format, and some of the certificates are from Dublin Ireland, while other, like mine have a NYC address??

 

Also, on the letter of registration, the first letter in the package (not uploaded), mine says my registration is valid for one year, while I noticed others that were created in 2011, are 'valid' for 3 years.

 

Also the price via the NADB website has now gone up to $30 for custom call letters...

Hmmm...

 

 

JE

[Vanlen]

Mine is for a year as well. Didn't know it jumped in price either. I love how it spells out how to properly use your call ID on the air. Also the National Association of Digital Broadcasters -NADB - is very close to - NAB - the National Association of Broadcasters and their are no forums, websites for NADB that I can find other than buying the certificate. Haven't used any of the kit....but it looks nice in the frame. LOL

[johny c]

Sorry, As I said before you have been ripped off, they are laughing all the way to the bank. The call signs mean nothing, besides why do you need a call sign for internet radio. Just give your stations a name.

[cr08]

I have to agree. As much as I commend the ultimate intent which is breaking in ahead of the rush of mobile streaming and getting some kind of uniform identification that is easily searchable on a mobile device, FWIW the money grab is not necessary to do so. I could just as easily start up and widely publicize a similar project which would more or less be a uniform station identification system and make it completely free and I'm sure it would work very well given stations jump on board. Basically all they are selling which is of any remote worth if the fancy pieces of paper which could otherwise be easily faked yourself.

 

I'm actually really curious how many stations have went with them so far? It'd be interesting to see the numbers.

[Spinny]

Wow, shocked that this many people would even consider forking over money for this garbage. Well, maybe its a nice conversation piece and that's about it. You folks keep saying 24 bucks isn't a lot of money. When all these little Scheister Meisters start hittin small broadcasters for 20 bucks here and 20 bucks there, it starts adding up to one very big rip off. Stop feeding the rip off artists. It's bad enough we have companies over charging for required stuff as it is.

[Vanlen]

Yes, I agree. As I've said earlier I've been in radio for over 30 years so being burned once isn't bad odds. But yes, Sheister Meisters is a good analogy here.

[Urban Hitz Radio]

well...we shall see what becomes of the union. I think jumping head in to what appears and/or looks like something good, is what most people do. After the big bam (after you pay and THEN read comments), which is what many people do, things seem to come into play. LOL but of course it's only $24, and I think it's a great idea. I can't be sued, because WUHR has never been used. And of course there is no regulation on CALL letters (?). The only thing that can be leased is a frequency.

The purpose of the FCC is to govern airwaves (which the government owns and make big money off of Corporations willing to pay those fees.

 

I think Internet Radio (who has no AIRWAVES) will define the Industry for years to come. Once WE get some kind of association or membership group to fight for our rights. There is A LOT of money to be made from Internet Radio that people/Madison Ave/advertisers are so overlooking. Just having an Internet Station playing nothing but music, with thousands of listeners listening daily (probably more than a traditional FCC licensed station), and not advertising ONE thing? People these days don't have time to turn on FM radio. And most of those station are putting out some VERY POOR low quality streams over the Internet, but they are the only ones allowed to make millions from advertising?

 

Then you have Internet Radio stations (excuse me, Digital Broadcast stations), with websites that are littered with nothing but annoying banners and popups, to try and make a share off impressions? Something is wrong with that idea. Mostly all of the Clear Channel station websites have been doing the same thing...it's annoying. And it doesn't look professional. Of course CC doesn't have to peddle their sites that way, but they choose to.

 

Back in 2006-2008, my station, Urban Hitz Radio used to be affiliated with a company called MyMBN, which in turn, was bought out by UpSnap. What happened there, is they offered a program in which the broadcaster would receive a percentage of whatever revenue was made off of advertisements heard over the stations mobile stream, based upon the number of listeners the station had. Back then, when UHR was really big and popular, I used to pull in a few $dollars every quarter. Because my station was the most popular station out there The checks were good, but UpSnap used to be very iffy with sending out the money. I used to have to keep on them for weeks to get my money. Then I think I was making too much money and they decided to pull UHR off of their service, after some back and forth emails.

Now I am back on UpSnap, since they have new management, but the program has changed, so I'm starting from the bottom again. They no longer just send out checks for stations, unless you are a premium member (pay them).

 

There is another player in the game these days, RadioLoyalty, and I'm not sure what kind of money other affiliated stations receive from the service. But their player is littered with ugly and terrible advertisements, but anything to pull in a $1. I'm not hating. Whatever works, go get it. I signed up. Advertisers today, want to monetize things on a Mobile platform, but that's already been done, back when I was doing it, and it's so dull now.

 

I have been in this arena for a while now. I am still not a millionaire. Because making money from it is so inconsistent.

Yes giving your station a name can work, but having call letters are a lot better... seriously. It may open up some doors. This is what people define as radio. I can't imagine tuning into Urban Hitz Radio 105.5, unless it's a moniker being used by a station...such as a Kiss FM or a HOT92,93,94, etc... But, Internet stations calling themselves a HOT92 are misrepresenting themselves, because they do not lease a frequency. I don't care how long you have worked in the Radio industry. You have no right to pretend you are an FCC licensed station on a frequency leased from the FCC. I already made a name for my station.

[johny c]

Any station name is copyrighted if you can prove you were using the name first. Over the years there has been a big move away from using call letters. Names are more easly remembered by listeners and helps more if it is a catchy name or phrase. I have heard my station called Top of the dial by many people and that is the way they remember it even though it is only a phrase I use in the station name. One person asked me what was my station and I told him it was RAGFM 107.7, he then said to me , I don't listen to your station, I listen to Top of the dial station lol. When I told him that was me he laughed. But it proves a point some people remember the strangest things but it worked.

[Spinny]

Well said Johnny and very true. A lot of Fm stations have gone to names or catch phrases and only mention the freq in the required hourly station ID. I don't see this catching on, seriously. You think Pandora will want a call sign???? Hell no they won't, their name is well recognized. A lot of marketing and research goes into names and those names for the top radio/media companies are working just fine. Call signs to replace those names? I think not. What I see this as is another way to milk unknowing small broadcasters.