Ever dreamt of having your own radio station? It’s safe to say that you’re familiar with the overwhelming feeling that comes from harboring such an idea. Starting a radio station has traditionally been a capital intensive undertaking, and was therefore out of the reach of most individuals. In recent years, however, the emergence of streaming technology has transformed what was once a (hopeless) fantasy into a plausible prospect.
How Does it Work?
The process of streaming radio online starts with the creation of an audio stream on the broadcast end. Much like is the case with a normal website, the content needs to be uploaded onto a server after it’s edited to allow for its distribution. From here, listeners tune into the station by connecting to the server, after which data is streamed to their end.
Easy In, Easy Out
It’s worth pointing out that the process is significantly more complicated in practice. Even so, it’s a lot simpler compared to that of starting a traditional radio station. An easy entry also translates to a lower sunk cost if things don’t pan out the way you hoped.
On a more optimistic note, the rising appetite for online entertainment among consumers means the potential for gains is almost limitless. This should be enough to water down any concerns about your likelihood of attracting a following. What really matters here is the ability to keep the audience engaged and interested going forward.
As for how to get in, you will need to be familiar with all the systems that facilitate the streaming process, such as:
-Broadcast desks: In simpler terms, these are audio systems for multi-channel management.
-Software: While it takes several programs to host a live broadcast, most of them are basically for mapping to the equipment.
-Processors: These are the web streaming audio processors used for amplification and equalisation.
-Encoding platform: This basically compresses the recorded content into a streamable format in order to speed up the transfer of data.
As long as you have the right tools, it’s actually possible to set up your station within a few minutes. That being said, it’s worth taking the time to polish up other key areas before getting stated. These include:
-A content plan: This describes your programming in detail, of course taking into account the target audience of your show.
-A solid website: This is where your brand and show will be headquartered and, with that in mind, where you should focus most of your efforts.
-Licensing: Seeking authorization for any copyrighted music you plan to use will save you lots of headaches later on.
As you can see, starting your own radio station is more affordable than ever, thanks to streaming technology. Still, it would help to adopt a conservative mindset when getting started. This way, you’ll be able to scale up knowing that your platform can stand firmly on its own.
