Internet radio:

Part of the innovative concept of The Power Station is the fact that it is available purely online. Securing a license to broadcast over the airways is exceptionally expensive – large amounts of traditional broadcasters’ revenues are swallowed up by regulation. The beauty of the Internet is that it has always held dear the philosophy of the free exchange of information. While this freedom is abused so often with destructive content, we want to use the opportunity to provide good, wholesome, Christian programming to our listeners.

Third of UK population listen to the radio online:

The RAJAR survey of internet delivered audio services

RAJAR (Radio Joint Audience Research Ltd) releases findings of its fifth survey of internet delivered audio services, and reveals that one third of the UK ’s adult population now claims to have listened to the radio via the internet; while the number of users of Personalised Online Radio has increased from 3.9 million to 4.5 million since May 2009.

In addition,8.3 million adults now claim to have heard of WiFi radio.
The RAJAR Measurement of Internet Delivered Audio Services (MI DAS 5) was conducted during November 2009 by Ipsos MORI. The sample consisted of RAJAR respondents, drawn from the main RAJAR survey over the previous 6 months, who had claimed to listen to the radio via the internet or downloaded podcasts, alongside respondents from the two previous MIDAS surveys (conducted in October 2008 and May 2009). The survey findings are based on the responses of 977 respondents.

Christel Lacaze, research manager, RAJAR comments:
"The fifth MIDAS survey shows that Personalised Online Radio is the fastest growing internet delivered audio service,with 4.5 million people claiming they have used such service. Listening to Podcasts and to the radio via the internet (live and using Listen Again services) also continue to grow but at a reduced pace ".

Top line findings:

Listening via the Internet

One third (33.9%)of the UK ’s adult population (15+) or 17.4 million people claim to have ever listened to the radio via the internet, compared with 16.9 million people in May ‘09.
This includes 16.2 million listening live and 13.9 million listening at a later time using Listen Again services.
74%of those Listen Again listeners said the service has no impact on the amount of live radio to which they listen; while half said they are now listening to radio programmes to which they did not listen previously. The average user of Listen Again services listened to 1.6 programmes in the previous week.
8.3 million adults have heard of WiFi radio (a standalone radio set that connects wirelessly to the internet and is able to play any internet radio service), but just under a million adults claim to own one.
57% of internet listeners are men and 47% are aged 15-34 years.

Click here to read the full report from RAJAR

FAQ's

What is so different about The Power Station?

The station is different for a number of reasons. Firstly, we are committed to broadcasting on the Internet. We believe the future lies on this platform as a new generation of Wi-Fi enabled devices become available. We have no plans or aspirations to broadcast on more traditional platforms that are highly regulated and expensive to operate on.

You say the Internet is the future, what about Digital radio then?

It is becoming increasingly apparent in the Radio industry that the future of the DAB digital radio format is uncertain. DAB was created using 1980’s technology and cannot cope with the demands of a modern radio industry. Upgrading the technology would, in all likelihood, cost vast sums and make obsolete existing DAB sets.

Can't we listen to your station's content elsewhere?
And isn't the programming a little heavy on the American side?

Of course, there will be some crossover with other stations with music and teaching with some of the artists and ministries being featured elsewhere. We do think however, we source programmes very cheaply so that any support given is not thrown down a black-hole of regulation and licensing.