Roadcasting Another Nail to Radio's Coffin
As if radio broadcasters don't already have enough going against them with the explosion of MP3 players, repetitive playlists, and Podcasting, Roadcasting may help deliver that final nail to the medium's coffin. Roadcasting is a system that allows you to hook up your MP3 player to a low power antenna that will broadcast whatever's on your MP3 player to other car's FM radios within a 30 mile radius. While certainly legal issues surround Roadcasting, it's a medium that, like many other burgeoning citizen-created media, is certain to see growth. Metafilter has discussion. There's even a spec spot floating about promoting the idea.
Comments
I noticed a trend graph for road casting on the trendwatcher.
A simple and more localized version of this is already possible. Griffin's iTrip FM broadcast thingamajig for the iPod broadcasts to car or other radios within about a 40' range. I've heard of drivers sporting bumper stickers that indicate what frequency others can tune in to hear their iPod. Seems everyone can be a nano broadcaster.
The "final nail in radio's coffin"? I'll be the first to admit radio has done itself serious damage over the year's but most of that damage was done by the geniuses running Sirius and XM now. Outside of major metropolitan areas, most of the new technologies are way over the heads of massive amounts of people. Cable TV was supposed to put networks in the "coffin" years ago and although they are not nearly as strong as before, network TV still generates millions of dollars. I think radio needs to take a tip from the new technologies and stop playing the same tired formats but seriously, the "final nail in the coffin" is a very, very long way away and radio is still FREE to listen to.
I am so glad I tried the AOL Radio...love the Classic Rock & Roll stuff and that is what I am able to listen to while checking emails, etc...keep up the good broadcasting of the great vintage Rock n roll....
Rocknrobin51@aol.com