How to get ahead in webcasting

Last year was not the ideal time to start a webcasting business. A copyright royalty board had ordered a stunning increase in royalties for webcasters in March, increasing the rates paid to labels and performers 150% over five years. Nevertheless, Jango.com launched in July with a preview of a social network wrapped around a personalized webcasting service. Within two months of its formal debut in November, it had attracted 1 million listeners who created 3 million customized stations. (LA Times)

Online Radio Reaches 33 Million Americans Per Week

The annual Infinite Dial 2008: Radio's Digital Platforms put out by Arbitron and Edison Media Research, estimates that 33 million Americans age 12 or older listen to a radio station over the Internet during an average week - up from 29 million listeners one year ago. There is also a strong connection between online radio listening and social networking sites according to the study. (PR)

Lincs FM Catches Listeners

Lincs FM will becomes the first radio station in the UK to launch an innovative new music download service, called Catch. From tomorrow, listeners can text a five digit number while listening to the station. The station then sends back a text identifying the name of the artist and track currently being played. A personalised web page is created where listeners can access a list of all their favourite music. They can download their chosen songs by entering their mobile phone number on the station's website. (Radio Today)

CBS Radio Signs Exclusive Agreement to Power AOL Radio

CBS RADIO and AOL today announced a ground breaking partnership whereby CBS RADIO will power AOL Radio (http://radio.aol.com), combining two of the largest online radio networks and giving millions of listeners unlimited and free access to the most diverse lineup of programming available. Additionally, the two companies will work together to create a number of product enhancements including a new player, as well as complete support for the Mac. (PR)

Last.fm Debuts Applications Gallery

Last.fm launched a new section called Build.last.fm (http://build.last.fm), a gallery promoting the ever-growing number of Last.fm third-party applications that extend the Last.fm experience across the Web. Built by fans and partners of the social music discovery network, Build.last.fm organizes and showcases the many Last.fm applications and widgets that have been developed using the site's open platform architecture and free Web service tools. (PR)

More Listeners, More Money: Online Radio Growth Continues

Accustream iMedia Research pointed to a 26.1 percent increase in total listening hours in 2007 to 4.85 billion.  That is drawing more advertiser interest, though the group credited heavyweights Clear Channel and Citadel Broadcasting for drawing the most advertising visibility.  In total, internet radio billings topped $80 million in 2007, according to the group, almost triple sales of $26.9 million in 2006. (Digital Music News)

Internet Music Radio and Track Plays Chart 4.8 Billion Listening Hours in 2007

Music radio online (live streaming channels and individual track plays) generated 4.85 billion total listening hours in 2007, up 26.1% over 2006, according to a new research report by AccuStream iMedia Research. Total listening hours averaged 404.2 million hours per month (excluding downloaded music), compared to a 320.5 million hour average in 2006, including leading music subscription services such as Napster, Yahoo Music and Rhapsody. (PR)