Theory Radio Launches Free Public Online Radio Station, DJs Broadcast from around the World

Welcome to a new shifting concept of radio, where non-professional DJs can broadcast a single radio stream from anywhere on the globe.

(PRWEB) April 27, 2005 -- Im going up to the studio," DJ Splat says as he ambles up the stairs in his pajamas. Splat is going to his office to start his Tuesday and Thursday morning radio shift. He may take the stream hand off from Los Angeles, Toronto, or Washington DC, depending on who is up and DJing.

Welcome to a new shifting concept of radio, where non-professional DJs can broadcast a single radio stream from anywhere on the globe. Thanks to programs like Rogue Amoebas Nicecast, combined with instant messenger program AOL Instant Messenger, DJ Splat can pick up his stream from geographically scattered DJs.

DJ Normal, from Los Angeles, says, I was broadcasting from Starbucks after work a couple weeks ago. I had to keep leaning over the system [microphone for the voice overs. Thankfully, Boogers [scheduled time slot came up and we had a good handoff." DJ BoogerX broadcasts from Washington DC.

According to DJ Normal, the station sometimes encounters problems with handoffs. Since we cant see each other face to face, its hard to know if the next DJ is home and getting ready or if they just forgot about their shift. Sometimes a DJ who wants to test their setup will kick another DJ in the middle of a scheduled show. Weve had some communication issues."

The DJs seem to think of these issues as par for the course. Were not professionals. This is an amateur station," DJ Normal said at the last DJ meeting, in response to complaints of non-professional behavior. That doesnt mean we shouldnt try, but we have to cut each other some slack."

Theory Radio started their broadcasts from Los Angeles and distributed the URL to their closest friends. Recently, they filed 501c3 (non-profit corporation) paperwork with the IRS and sent their filing fees to SoundExchange, the entity that collects royalties from small webcasters.

It was a little freaky," says DJ Normal, who delivered the paperwork. Having my name on all this official stuff. It turned us into a real station, not just a couple kids trying out equipment in our basements." SoundExchange has been actively pursuing even the smallest webcasters and Theory Radio recognized the importance of compliance.

Recently, NPR featured Theory Radio DJ Dave Ambrose on All Things Considered. His show, which features what he calls unpopular pop," attracted the attention of NPR because of its emphasis on eclectic music sets. DJ Lucky Dave says, Theres a lot of really good stuff out there which no one ever gets to hear because for some reason 'pop really isn't very popular these days."

Resources:

Theory Radio http://www.theoryradio.org

NPR http://www.npr.org

# # #