The internet radio scene in the country is not that bullish yet but judging from the growing list of stations, businesses and listeners are definitely considering streaming radio as part of modern Filipinos’ media consumption. Here are the 10 reasons.
1. Commercial-free music – listeners prefer tuning in to internet radio than to the traditional radio for the absence of commercials. Stations like Blazin100.com and AtlantisRadio.net don’t air many or no commercials.
Businesses and even internet cafes go for these commercial-free web stations because they are suitable as in-store radio. Most establishments hesitate to re-lay traditional radio broadcasts onto their customers because they don’t want to air commercials that may come from competitors.
2. Niche programming – the traditional radio spectrum offers basically the same type of formats, “masa” (Hot AC), Top 40. The present list of Philippine internet radio stations, however, offers a variety of programming that over-the-air broadcasts do not.
On the web, you can listen to stations that play Classical Filipino, OPM rock, rap, and Gospel music to name a few.
3. Local Appeal – internet radio stations are popular among OFWs or overseas Filipino Workers due to lack of programming in their area that appeal to them. Stations that cater to this crowd are usually operated by OFWs.
Programming may include talk shows that offer advice such as the Buhay OFW show on Cyber Pinoy Radio (www.cyberpinoyradio.net).
4. Nostalgia – every one has grown up listening to a certain station that is why online stations such as Y101 FM Cebu are a click to listeners abroad. Most of the original programs and DJs on the station are still around after the Cebu-based station first opened in the 80s.
Defunct stations like WRock Manila, Max FM and Campus Radio have already gone online.
But it’s not only the nostalgic station name that most listeners are after of, it’s also the music nostalgia. Due to corporate and ratings pressures, traditional stations may no longer be playing songs that have once topped the charts but unfortunately do not fit the current ratings-hungry programming of most terrestrial stations.
Internet radio programmers have more creative and programming control because they don’t have to worry about ratings, this means, more music variety for listeners.
5. Multi and Social Media Enhanced Interactivity – compared to the conventional radio, internet radio stations are more listener-engaging. With station websites integrating social media like Facebook and Twitter, the audience can participate in discussions through chat widgets and discussion boards. A listener may also participate as a co-host using video streaming services like Stickam, Ustream or Livestream.
6. New Music/Artists Discovery – nowadays, artists and bands have more chances of exposure than before. Most internet radio stations are willing to play unsigned artists that are fit for their format. Blazin100.com recently included Wizhfulltinkers, Shuffled, and Bethany onto their playlist.
Blazin100.com does not accept payment in order to feature an independent artist. Most traditional stations would require monetary means just so a band can have their song played on air. This does not only help save artists money, but it’s also a big help to the local music industry.
7. Aggregated Information – internet radio stations now deliver and relay information in a multitude of ways. For instance, internet stations display the title of the songs on their website, a feature not available on traditional radio.
They are also able to distribute relevant and real time news through social media.
8. Innovation – the internet has so much to offer, it will not be long before every household in the country will be hooked. The internet has also gone more mobile than ever before. And every internet radio website will be there to improve as the internet revolution continues.
9. Listener-engaging playlist – because web stations are more listener-focused, their programming is more influenced on what listeners like to hear.
The integration of request boxes and even instant request airplays, give audiences more power on the playlist.
10. Talk-free programming – while online radio stations carry the same programming they have over the air, internet-based stations have lesser talks and fewer interruptions. Unless, it’s a talk format, internet stations have more songs covered in an hour, usually 12 to 13, than the 8 or 9 songs heard on FM radio.
You will find a list of internet radio stations in the Philippines below:
https://radioonlinenow.com/pinoy-online-streaming-stations/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_radio
http://www.internet-radio.org.uk/search/?radio=philippines
Disclosure: Cyber Pinoy Radio is a client, Blazin100.com is a sponsor
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