In a party-line three-to-two vote, today the FCC passed open internet rules that reclassifies internet service as a public utility. Here are some key provisions of the Open Internet Order that are of particular interest to consumers and internet broadcasters. It’s important to note that these provisions apply equally to mobile broadband–3G, 4G and LTE–as […]
Archive | Internet radio
UK to community radio: sign up for a digital experiment
The United Kingdom’s broadcast regulator has announced trials to help smaller, community based radio stations access the UK’s digital audio broadcasting (DAB) system. According to Ofcom, nearly half of adults in the UK (48.9 percent) say they own a DAB radio set. But getting access to a DAB “digital multiplex” service area is expensive; most […]
Digital Watch: Net Neutrality Ready for Vote, Slate Debuts Podcast Network, BBC Upsets Internet Listeners
The most significant digital radio news this week is the FCC’s vote on Open Internet rules happening at Thursday’s open meeting. The proceedings begin at 10:30 AM EST, and will be streamed live. I posted an overview on Tuesday, and things haven’t changed much since then. The House Communications and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing […]
FCC Votes on Future of Internet & Internet Radio on Thursday
On Thursday the FCC will vote on the future of the internet in the US, which also includes the future of internet radio in all its forms. The five commissioners will weigh in on Chairman Tom Wheeler’s Open Internet proposal at the Commission’s February open meeting. Yet, although Chairman Wheeler has released overviews and details, […]
Digital Watch: Why HD Radio Isn’t Actually Radio
HD Radio is back on my mind after reading a recent article in Current about how public stations are using the technology. iBiquity, the company behind HD Radio, has hired the former director of NPR Labs to survey stations on the technology, obviously with the hope of encouraging more use. Writer Scott Fybush talks to […]
Digital Watch: Where’s All That Streaming Music Money Going?
A number of prominent musicians have complained loudly about the royalties they receive from streaming music services like Spotify and Pandora, from indie rock veteran David Lowery to pop star Taylor Swift, who pulled all of her music from Spotify. Mike Masnick at TechDirt decided to look closer at the numbers and determined that “Yes, […]
Digital Watch: Net Neutrality Is Here; Teens Prefer Streaming
Welcome to our new Wednesday feature, Digital Watch. Each week I’ll be tackling news and analysis about radio’s intersection with the digital world, online and off. This takes the place of Podcast Survivor, but it doesn’t mean podcasting coverage is going away. I’ll explain further at the end of this post. The week’s biggest news […]
Will new FCC net neutrality rules kill “sponsored data” plans?
It’s all buzzy buzzy out there about Federal Communications Commission Chair Tom Wheeler’s new proposed net neutrality rules, which rest on reclassifying broadband as a utility, thus worthy of Title II telecommunications regulation. Wheeler has a statement posted on Wired. Those who thought he would never do this are happily eating their hats. The telcos are […]
FCC Chair Likely to Propose Strong Net Neutrality this Week
At last month’s Consumer Electronics Show FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler announced that the agency would reclassify internet service as a utility, which should qualify it for stronger network neutrality protections. Wheeler promised the new rules would circulate to fellow commissioners by February 5, and news reports on Monday indicate that he will make good on […]
How To Listen to Super Bowl XLIX on the Radio
Looking for info on how to listen to this 2021’s Super Bowl LV? Click here. Once again, it’s time for the big game and time to run down where you can listen to the Super Bowl on the radio. While most football fans will have plans to be as close to a TV as possible, […]