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Deciding on a format for your station
This is the most crucial
decision you will make regarding your station. You have two choices.
You can program for the listener, or program for yourself.
When I started my station, I set the format for myself. It's my
station, and my hobby. If people like listening, then great. If not,
that's okay too. My goal is to have fun, not to get the most
listeners. What's your goal?
Your station's format also determines if you need to worry about
paying royalties. Below are three
broad categories for format. Chances are your station will fit into
at least one, and maybe all three...
Talk Radio
Do you like to talk? Perhaps talk radio is the choice for you. If
you are 100% talk, you do not need a license to webcast your
content. But if your station plays jingles, music, or any other
content that is protected by copyright, then licensing is required.
Getting listeners will be a challenge for you unless your station is
of particular interest to a specific group or organization.
Independent (Indie) Radio
Do you live in an area with a lot of local bands? If that's the
scene you're into, then you can offer a station that plays music
from local artists. You can get listeners by putting up posters in
bars and clubs, and working with the bands so they can help promote
your station too. If you play nothing but independent artists, and
you have the written permission of each artist to play their music,
you do not need licensing provided the music was not only
recorded by the artist, but also written by the artist. If you play
independent bands and artists that "cover" someone else's music,
royalty payments are usually required because the composer/author of the song is
entitled to payment.
Music
Radio
The most popular form of Internet Radio. If you have a massive
collection of CDs, MP3s, or if you've been shopping on
iTunes/Napster, you can play your music collection on your station.
You need a lot of music. Nobody wants to hear the same tracks every
3 hours. When I launched my station, I had a playlist that ran at
least 24 hours without playing the same song twice. To webcast your
music collection, you definitely need to pay royalties to be legal.
Plan Now
Think about where your passion
lies. What format should your station offer? Is it different from
other stations? Once you have decided on a format, it's time to look
at the laws...
Get Licensing
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