Radio Enters Personalized Streaming Age With New HLS+ Technology.

[davideduardo]

From today's Inside Radio newsletter:

"Live linear radio streams have traditionally lacked the ability for listeners to customize what they’re hearing for a personalized experience. On the other hand, pureplay music services are devoid of the “between-the-records” magic that is broadcast radio’s superpower. New streaming technology from audio tech provider Super Hi-Fi promises to bridge that gap for broadcasters."

The article describes how the system will allow personalization of stations streams, even the ability to skip songs.

Radio Enters Personalized Streaming Age With New HLS+ Technology.

Live linear radio streams have traditionally lacked the ability for listeners to customize what they’re hearing for a personalized experience. On the other hand, pureplay music services are devoid of

www.insideradio.com

 

[secondchoice]

I am slightly confused, (insert joke). Is there a time delay? If a listener is streaming a "live" morning show at 7:10 and then skips a song 4 minute song, then you are at 7:14 which hasn't happened yet. So this system will find a song the same length and insert it's song. If you talk during a song fade or intro does it pick out the DJs voice from the discarded song? I totally get the commercial substitution which is nothing new but IMHO is still "clunky" so that is a good thing.

I see if you are doing non time sensitive hours it could run like a VT system only on steroids.

 

[TheBigA]

However, this technology only works with streaming. You can't use it to skip songs with over-the-air radio stations. Plus, because it uses digital streaming, it is subject to all music royalties, including the additional charge for on-demand. So I imagine there will be a cost to the users for this experience. I didn't see that mentioned in the article.

 

[radiofan2023]

Also you can only skip 6 times an hour, according to the article.

 

[radiofan2023]

I am slightly confused, (insert joke). Is there a time delay? If a listener is streaming a "live" morning show at 7:10 and then skips a song 4 minute song, then you are at 7:14 which hasn't happened yet. So this system will find a song the same length and insert it's song. If you talk during a song fade or intro does it pick out the DJs voice from the discarded song? I totally get the commercial substitution which is nothing new but IMHO is still "clunky" so that is a good thing.

I see if you are doing non time sensitive hours it could run like a VT system only on steroids.

And how would it handle the delay if something was dumped?

 

[Kent]

Also you can only skip 6 times an hour, according to the article.

That would appear to be how it avoid getting hit with increased "on-demand" royalties. As I recall, the law didn't specifically state what constituted "on-demand," but a court ruled, probably around 15 to 20 years ago, that six skips an hour did not meet that definition. So, most free interactive services keep it at six knowing that's not going to trigger the increased royalties.

 

[radiofan2023]

That would appear to be how it avoid getting hit with increased "on-demand" royalties. As I recall, the law didn't specifically state what constituted "on-demand," but a court ruled, probably around 15 to 20 years ago, that six skips an hour did not meet that definition. So, most free interactive services keep it at six knowing that's not going to trigger the increased royalties.

What are "on demand" royalties?

 

[TheBigA]

That would appear to be how it avoid getting hit with increased "on-demand" royalties.

What are "on demand" royalties?

Read the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998. It spells out the categories and payments due for the use of music or any copyrighted works in digital platforms.

On demand means you want to hear a certain song now. I think what the 6 skips relates to is interactive streaming. There's an additional charge or royalty that has to be paid for every function. The more control a user has over the content, the higher the royalty. So this is interactive streaming.

Streaming 101: what's the difference between interactive & non-interactive streaming? - PUSH.fm

Interactive streaming refers to your audience choosing your sound, whereas non-interactive streaming could relate to the radio. The music is being streamed but not selected.

blog.push.fm

 

[AbrahamJSimpson]

It’s an interesting idea. The devil is in the details. All will become clearer in time.

 

[Theater of My Mind]

Now we know what Audacy plans to offer on its paid tier.