Do You Listen To Internet Radio?

When was the last time you listened all day to an internet-only station?

Today, we were searching for a Soft Hits station to listen to on TuneIn.

Here's what we came up with:

The Soft Hits Channel, Online Radio Soft Rock, Soft Rock 102.7, Easy Hits Radio, Best Net Radio Warm and Soft Hits, Vladix3 Soft, JamsNetwork Pop Hits, Soft 96, Z96.3 The Lake, Hit FM Soft Russia, Planet Hits Radio, Oldies Internet Radio, Fresh Wave, 103.9 TheLake, Sunny 98.3, Vibrations Soft Hits, Majic 95.1, Radio Soft, PowerHots.com The Office Mix, LolloRadioSoft, Ocean Breeze, 108 The Office Mix, Tacht Rock Miami, 98.7 The Dove, Ostseewelle Soft Hits, Creek Valley Radio...plus around 50 more. 

That's one search.

How do you choose?

Which one has live presenters...where do the stations broadcast from? 

We are all radio people...we know TuneIn, we understand how Smart speakers work and how to find stations...but what about your average punter, ie your 'listener'. Do they understand TuneIn as much as an industry person? Are they bothered? Chances are, no - they're not!. 

Here's another question for you: Are these actual 'radio' stations or are they 'streams'? We can sign up to RadioKing right now and have a service online in an hour. We can get dozens of people to VT for free and call it 'OnAirCoach Soft Hits Radio'. But is it? Is it a station? 

Also, how would a listener find it, when there are hundreds available after one loose search? 

RTE in Ireland recently moved their Digital radio services to online-only...the difference being, they are a national broadcaster with decades of marketing behind them...in the same way BBC moved BBC3 TV to online only. 

If Jimmy or Jane Smith wants to launch 'JJ Radio' tomorrow...how do they survive?

*Tomorrow: Is internet radio damaging radio?