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Music @ Internet radio
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After streaming audio and MP3, Internet radio promises to be the next big thing in online music
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IT WAS the idea of providing sample music tracks to surfers that led to the concept of what is known as streaming audio — a short "stream" of music that is not downloaded into your machine, but uses your surfing bandwidth to give you just about decent quality sound. Usually, these are short samples or news snippets used as teasers by music companies and news channels. Probably, this concept was an inspiration for techies across the world to think of file sharing and peer-to-peer computing for music. Though the concept of music sharing is somewhat controversial, one cannot help admitting that the technology behind this concept opens one's eyes to the tremendous reach and acceptability of the Internet for music.
Just as the MP3 mahayudh between MP3 downloaders and music companies seemed to be losing heat, an alternative form of music broadcast (hopefully safer this time around) seems to be gaining popularity. The technology is not really new, but for the Indian Diaspora across the globe, it promises to be a great boon. Internet radio is what we are referring to.
The popular news, entertainment and mail portal rediff.com recently launched the Rediff Radio service, and is planning to begin full operation soon. The idea is to provide 24/7 channels dedicated to various genres of Indian music. Targeting the NRI, anywhere between Amsterdam and Abu Dhabi, who is craving for some desi music, Rediff has introduced two channels, one that is hosted by a Radio Jockey (RJ), and the second, a "non-stop music library", catering to over 30-minute genres of Indian music — (http://radio.rediff.com). Though agencies like Worldspace have tried similar things, the limited reach of satellite radio and increased instrument costs have restricted its use to organisations, workplaces, and hardcore music fans. Rediff hopes to find takers for its radio service that is currently priced at $4.95 per month (that is peanuts for the videshi Indian).
Though not so popular, a few other players have incorporated the concept of Internet radio in their websites, which are essentially music or Bollywood portals. For instance, www.indiafm.com, the popular portal (owned by hungama.com) for filmi news and fan information, has a radio service that caters to popular film and non-film music. Though the quality is just satisfactory, the music content is pretty impressive. Apnamusic (www.apnusic.com) is another website that has tried out the concept successfully. Like Indiafm, this site too broadly categorises the music into Indipop and film music, but does not have an RJ.
The concept behind Internet radio is definitely path breaking. Here's hoping that that it will penetrate beyond the videshi Indian and pervade into home PCs in India. Hopefully, you and me will soon have a Web alternative to Radio City or Radio Mirchi.
A. VISHNU
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