Setting up new Internet radio station

[JohnDrake]

I know a couple of dozen guys who like jazz music from the 1920's and 30's. We thought it would be great to have an Internet radio station so that we could listen to our music whenever we want to.

 

 

However, I don't want the hassle of setting up a PC with playout software and a high-speed Internet connection. I like the idea of a hosted Internet radio station, where the playout software and MP3's are cloud-based and automatically streamed to listeners at 128 kbps.

 

 

I looked at RadioJar, Radio.co and Airtime.pro and they all seem like excellent products. Does anyone know of any other Web-based streaming providers they can recommend?

[djgary72]

There's RadioBoss Cloud you'll have to ask on their forums about it https://www.djsoft.net/smf/

 

This is also SAM Broadcaster cloud but I don't generally recommend Spacial Audio products.

[shoutcaststreaming]

Most Stream Hosts provide an Auto DJ service, where you upload MP3 songs to their server and they will play automatically. You can make playlists, so you can sort them into 20's, 30's, 40's as an example, and schedule them to play at selected days, hours, etc. The more creative you get, the better the listening audience will appreciate your station.

 

Here is a list of Stream Hosts and reviews. Guessing most of them use Centovacast Control Panel, which has Auto DJ.

http://www.broadcastingworld.com/reviews/category-stream-hosting

 

Good Luck.

Edited May 16, 2018 by shoutcaststreaming
spelling

[JohnDrake]

There's RadioBoss Cloud you'll have to ask on their forums about it https://www.djsoft.net/smf/

 

Thanks for the info DJGaryBaldy. I had seen the name "RadioBoss" but I wasn't aware that "RadioBoss Cloud" was a competely separate Web-based product.

[JohnDrake]

Most Stream Hosts provide an Auto DJ service, where you upload MP3 songs to their server and they will play automatically.

 

I've seen "Centova Cast" listed as a feature but I assumed it was just some kind of control panel. I didn't know that "Centova Cast" had playlists, scheduling and a media library for uploading MP3's. Thanks for the tip ShoutcastStreaming!

[SmoothJazz]

If you are a US based caster, you do know that you will have pay Royalties for the music you broadcast as well right?

[JohnDrake]

If you are a US based caster, you do know that you will have pay Royalties for the music you broadcast as well right?

 

Yes Rob, that's a good point to remember for anyone starting an Internet radio station. We have that covered and yes we are outside the USA.

America is a great country but your copyright laws are, well, screwy.

 

Also, I'll have to check out 5280jazz.com and get me some smooth jazz at the office...

Edited May 16, 2018 by JohnDrake

[JohnDrake]

One of the most difficult things about selecting a host is figuring out which features we need, as opposed to which features are 'nice to have' but not essential.

 

It seems like everyone offers TuneIn integration, but what about a Facebook widget? Do people actually listen to Internet radio on Facebook?

 

And Dropbox integration seems like a good idea for uploading hundreds of MP3 files, but is it essential?

 

Should we ask our mobile listeners to go to the trouble of downloading a special app for iOS or Android, or should we expect them to listen using TuneIn or Streema's Simple Radio app?

 

Decisions, decisions...

[James]

One of the most difficult things about selecting a host is figuring out which features we need, as opposed to which features are 'nice to have' but not essential.

 

I'd say what's more important is uptime, reliability and data center performance. Where are the servers hosted? What infrastructure and redundancies are in place if the server fails?

 

Think about where your listeners are primarily situated, the closer the infrastructure is to them, the less delay there is for them to start listening to your station! You may think this is unimportant, but you would be surprised at how high the bounce rate is for someone in Asia listening to a station's server located in LA. A few seconds make all the difference

 

It seems like everyone offers TuneIn integration, but what about a Facebook widget? Do people actually listen to Internet radio on Facebook?

 

It's worth noting that TuneIn is not accepting new station submissions at the moment. No ETA on when they will actually accept new stations either, so don't hold your breath ;)

 

Facebook widgets are hit and miss, personally I prefer a popup player, that way I don't need to sign in to Facebook and keep a whole browser tab open just to listen to your station. You can add a raw HTML widget on your Facebook page to launch the popup player which is a good alternative.

 

And Dropbox integration seems like a good idea for uploading hundreds of MP3 files, but is it essential?

 

If you get a host with Centovacast, the in-built file manager is fairly robust. Allows you to change ID3 tags in-browser too. It supports bulk uploads just like Dropbox.

 

The Dropbox integration is fairly useless unless you have your audio already stored on Dropbox. Most (if not all) AutoDJ systems require the audio to be hosted locally, so Dropbox is only used to copy files from your Dropbox account to your AutoDJ account. I'd probably overlook that functionality unless you have all your audio stored on Dropbox already.

 

Should we ask our mobile listeners to go to the trouble of downloading a special app for iOS or Android, or should we expect them to listen using TuneIn or Streema's Simple Radio app?

 

A dedicated mobile app is great and provides trust in your station. Gives you a professional look. Just be warey of where you purchase your mobile apps from as some only publish from their accounts rather than your own dedicated account.

 

This means the app will say 'Made by XYZ Company' rather than 'Made by Your Station'. It also opens up a whole new can of worms when Apple decide to limit pre-made app accounts *again*. If they do and you have an app under the companies account rather than your own, you're at the mercy of that company if Apple decides to remove your app.

 

But if you're willing to accept the risk, you can save some money by getting a pre-built mobile app

[JohnDrake]

Thanks James for sharing your expertise.

 

I've made a note to research all of the points you raised, especially the unwelcome news about new submissions to TuneIn.

[JohnDrake]

I paid for the 'pro' version of TuneIn on iOS and Android. This allows me to stream all of my favourite stations in the car without listening to ads or viewing pop-ups.

 

I would like my listeners to have the same experience but I obviously can't insist that everyone purchase the 'pro' version of TuneIn or Simple Radio.

 

Is it possible to purchase a custom streaming app that doesn't insert audio ads or pop-ups? Does anyone have any recommendations for streaming app vendors?

[TwitterAutoPost]

Is it possible to purchase a custom streaming app that doesn't insert audio ads or pop-ups? Does anyone have any recommendations for streaming app vendors?

 

Hi JohnDrake, apologies for the direct plug of our services, but we offer Mobile Apps that do not insert adverts and, as they are a paid for service, no not include popup adverts (unless you enable them and you'd keep 100% of the revenue). Links in my signature.

 

There are, of course, other vendors.

 

Thank you.

[JohnDrake]

we offer Mobile Apps that do not insert adverts

 

I certainly like having the choice between ads/no ads on a mobile Internet radio app:

 

https://www.autopo.st/mobile-phone-apps

 

I downloaded your Android app for "The Jazz UK" Internet radio station.

 

All the controls are nicely laid out and easy to use. The buttons are large and easy to read, ideal for when I'm in the car in the dark stopped at a traffic light.

 

Switching between streams was no problem at all. I especially like the way the Twitter feed opens up inside the app--I can read Tweets while listening to tunes!

 

Very slick!

Edited May 23, 2018 by JohnDrake