Internet radio is an automated service transferred via the Internet. It refers to any media being webcasted and cannot be replayed, much like traditional radio. While traditional radio is limited by the short range that it is broadcasted and in sound quality, internet radio allows anyone to listen to virtually any broadcast around the world. This new technology is becoming increasingly popular for a society that does more and more on the web. While various models are used, people use stations like Pandora and Grooveshark to play artists that interest them and also to discover new music. Many internet radio sites use complex algorithms and characteristics of musical songs and genres to personalize the stations they have, and some have the option for the user to customize their station by creating playlists. Many sporting events and talk shows are also being streamed online as well. FM stations have also started streaming online to broaden their audience range and to keep up with the increasing popularity of other internet stations. Although FM radio offers convenience and accessibility and streaming online helps them to compete with so many other stations, Internet radio is often favored because of variation, ease of access, and sound quality. Most models of internet radio are like FM radio stations, which have cater to their audiences and advertisers for years. They use advertisements between songs or on their site to pay for the licenses necessary to stream music, but have to pay more in royalties than terrestrial stations do. There are devices for internet radio to allow anyone with an Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection to listen to the streamed music, and many internet radio stations have created applications for smart phones such as the Android or iPhone so that users may listen to music on the go. The effects of Internet radio are still unraveling, although it has already exponentially increased in the amount of popularity, providers, listeners, and music available online.
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Older media such as radio greatly influence new technology like internet radio even if it is getting increasingly overshadowed. Much like terrestrial radio stations, internet stations use advertisements to pay for their services to users. Much like pop music stations use advertisements that are relevant to their target audience, some internet radio stations have made their advertisements personalized to the users on their site to increase revenue. Internet stations also stream sporting events and talk shows much like terrestrial stations, and some even have DJs to narrate shows and create a connection with listeners. To remain legal, internet sites must also pay royalties like terrestrial stations in order to stream music. Internet stations have many similarities to traditional radio and use the traditional format to create familiarity with the listeners while introducing them to a new way to hear music.
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