#shoutcast

The Graveyard Shift is an internet radio thing I started back in… 2007? 2008? 2009? I had about 100 halloween related songs, and I streamed them live on October 31st

Weirdly enough, I somehow ended up maxing out my Shoutcast server (aka my desktop) that night. I had 100 listeners!

In the following years I tried to expand The Graveyard Shift with more music and even the occasional spooky story, but I never had the 100+ listeners of that first year. I think I had 15 or 20 the next year, and since then I’ve been lucky to top out at 10 concurrent listeners.

With turnout so low, I eventually lost interest and looked for ways to offload The Graveyard Shift to something that did not require direct involvement from me. Hence where the 8tracks playlist comes from.

But since it’s getting harder to maintain that, I might as well fall back to Shoutcast, but I can’t host it live this year.

I am running an important Twitter poll regarding what to do about The Graveyard Shift this year.

In short, 8tracks has changed a lot in the last year or two. In order to listen to the 8tracks version of The Graveyard Shift, you are forced to register for an 8tracks account, which is largely because they also now limit freebie accounts to 2 hours of listening per day, and that’s WITH ads.

If I throw $20 at this site, I can get a Shoutcast autoDJ server for up to 200 listeners at 128kbps. Anyone that can listen to streaming radio would be able to tune in for free with presumably no restrictions (using Winamp, Windows Media Player, etc. I may even be able to set up an embedded web player).

What would also be important is that this would be the full, complete Graveyard Shift playlist. 8tracks puts limitations on your uploads -- no more than 2 songs from any given album or artist. As such, the 8tracks version of The Graveyard Shift tops out at around 280 songs, whereas the “complete” Graveyard Shift is nearly double that -- 481 songs. And that’s just music, that doesn’t even count if I mix in the other stuff that usually accompanies The Graveyard Shift.

(That being said, usually, the spooky stories/etc. portion seems to be where I lose some people who are, presumably, just looking for music, so I’ve been cutting back on that stuff over the years)

Do you have a passion for music, a love of sharing, and a desire to connect with listeners worldwide? Then starting your own online radio station might be your perfect calling! With the right tools and guidance, you can create a platform to broadcast your voice, curate unique playlists, and build a vibrant community around your favourite sounds.

In this blog post, we'll explore the exciting world of starting an online radio with Shoutcast/Icecast hosting.

Step 1: Understanding Shoutcast/Icecast Hosting

Shoutcast and Icecast are popular for internet radio streaming, enabling broadcasts similar to traditional radio. There are hosting services that support these platforms, allowing your internet radio station to stream to a global audience reliably. These specialised services are tailored to meet the needs of internet radio broadcasters, ensuring high-quality streaming for listeners.

Step 2: Planning Your Radio Station

Before diving into the technical setup, plan your station. Decide on the genre of music or type of content you wish to broadcast. Also, consider the structure of your programming—will you have live shows, pre-recorded segments, or a mix of both?

Step 3: Choosing the best Hosting Plan

Select a hosting plan that aligns with the size of your audience and bandwidth needs. Look for options that accommodate various types of radio stations, ranging from smaller community stations to larger, established ones. Visit Ucartz.com and explore the variety of Shoutcast/Icecast hosting plans available. 

Step 4: Setting Up Your Broadcasting Software

After choosing your hosting plan, you'll need broadcasting software to manage and stream your audio content. Tools like SAM Broadcaster or Mixxx are popular choices for this purpose. These software applications can help you efficiently manage your playlists and broadcasts and connect to Shoutcast/Icecast servers for streaming.

Step 5: Designing Your Radio Station’s Website

For your radio station, a website is essential. It serves as the primary platform where listeners can learn about your station, check programming schedules, and stream your broadcasts live. Consider choosing a website hosting provider that offers integration with your radio hosting. This integration ensures a smooth and seamless experience for your listeners, both for browsing your site and enjoying your live audio content.

Step 6: Going Live and Promoting Your Station

With everything set up, it’s time to go live! Promote your station through social media, forums, and community groups. Engage with your audience and gather feedback to refine your station's content.

Conclusion:

Starting your online radio with Shoutcast/Icecast hosting can be a thrilling and rewarding experience. With Ucartz’s Shoutcast/Icecast hosting services, the technical side is taken care of, letting you focus on creating great content for your listeners.