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College Broadcasters Resource

Before you do anything else, read this information!

The website below covers all the important issues now before the US Copyright Office and Congress. Unless there is a dramatic change, most college radio webcasts will be history. If you are not currently streaming, but think that one day you might want to start, don't go away! Click the link and help change the rules.

Visit the S-O-S website!

SAVE OUR STREAMS

Be sure to complete the survey before 4/2!


With any luck, this info will be updated with good news once the copyright issues have been addressed. Until then, the information below are just historical notes.
This is a tough one... so many decisions to make! Don't let it paralyze you! 

There are a couple of things to consider when deciding how to get your stations audio on the web.
1. Copyrights. See ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC Be sure to tell them you are from a College Radio station. Also, take a look at the DMCA info below.
2. Which technology to I use? Only you can answer that question. The most prominent are Real Audio, Microsoft, Audioactive(MP3), Shoutcast(MP3) and Shockwave. Of course, the biggest new player is MP3. Look at the major streaming companies to incorporate the MP3 codec into their product! One important note, you _might_ violate your contract (if you have one) with BMI, ASCAP or SESAC, if you use MP3. Also take a look at what the RIAA and record labels are up to! MP3.com and Napster are examples of things to come. Still, don't take this a reason not to explore MP3! I believe it is the most generally accepted cross platform format for streaming... which is different than what MP3.com and Napster offer.

Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) In addition to the BMI, ASCAP and SESAC fees, the U.S. Copyright Office may take the position that radio stations who rebroadcast their recorded music programming over the Internet, either in whole or in part, may be liable for paying a compulsory license fee to the holder of the copyright for the sound recordings (the record company!). If you are currently or planning to stream copyrighted audio over the internet, you should check out Pepper & Corazzini, L.L.P and the Digital Media Association web site.

If you weren't confused enough, you can also look at java based (no plug in required) solutions! See Web Radio Then there are others that will stream your audio in exchange for ads... see warpradio and ?.


You can do the streaming thing on your own or team up with one of the streaming "portals", like broadcast.com, webradio.com or shoutcast.com among others (see above).

Feel free to explore these avenues and tell us about your success or lack there of, because this page is about the sharing of ideas! 
 
  One of the other major considerations is the issue of copyrights. If you want to stream audio on your own, you will need to obtain permission from ASCAP, BMI and probably SESAC. If you go with one of the "portals", they may offer to pay the copyright fees. Some may even offer to provide college stations with all necessary equipment and pay all fees. In order to do this, they will sell web ads that users will have to view and or hear before they get to your site. I know of at least one "portal" that will even split the ad revenue with your station. This may work for your situation or be to corporate to suit your tastes.

Again, my recommendation is to make a decision and move. If you spend too much time looking at the options, you will never get your audio on line. Streaming media is hot and moving quickly. Almost weekly, there seem to be new developments in the streaming media field. You can be a sheep and follow the masses and enjoy the benefits of end user ease of use, you can try to stay on the cutting edge and hope your web audience is up to the challenge of trying to stay with you or you could pick a dying technology. Do you have a crystal ball?


 
  One last comment, you might find this link of use if you are really confused! Also there is a "tutorial page" available at streamingmedia.com .