As The World Tunes
On Demand Listening
by Steve Bussey
GeoSynchronous Records
We are on the verge of major advances in Internet transmission and cable TV delivery. Already we have the capability to download video and sound bites and even complete songs over the Internet. There are several existing radio stations who also "broadcast" in real time over the Internet (WREK at Georgia Tech is one example), as well as stations that exist only on the Internet. The cable TV people are promising to soon deliver Internet capability and "on demand" movies and shows. This means that you would be able to order your favorite movie at any time of day, delivered right to you TV set. No need to go to the video rental store, nothing to return late, no late fees. Just punch in a code on your TV and stare at the tube for as many hours as you want! No doubt this same technology will be used for your favorite music as well. Let's speculate on this not too distant stereo of the future and what this may mean to the music industry.
There would be no need to actually buy a CD or tape. Artists and record companies would make their music available on a web site, and you could select any one or all of the songs. You pick what you want and have it delivered straight to your computerized stereo, where it will be played or possibly stored on a hard disk or other memory medium. Most likely you would not store it, just listen in real time, and order it again the next time you want to hear it. No more stacks of CDs cluttering a corner of your living room, no more buying a CD to find only one song on it you like.
How much will it cost to play a song? There's no way to tell right now, but I suspect the more popular groups will cost more than the unknown groups, with latter almost giving them away. To be a viable system, the overall cost per month would need to be comparable to what an average consumer spends now for hard copies of music. I suspect that a music subscription will evolve, where you pay a set fee for a certain number of hours of music each month. This money is then paid to the artists and record companies selected.
More than likely the artists and record companies would set up their own system, and probably operate it as their own "radio" station, promoting their own music. Tune in, maybe even for free, and hear their latest releases and whatever else they want you to hear.
Would such a system spell the death of radio as we know it today? I don't think so, for several reasons. We are still a long way away in getting this system portable, so radio as we know it would still be in demand for cars, boats, and the beach. Plus there are millions of radios in existence, so they and radio stations will be around for a while. Besides, a lot of people just want to turn a knob and not have to make a listening choice. In fact, the on demand system may lead to star DJ's at the subscription services that make your programming choices for you. You tune in to his or her selections and recommendations because "she plays the music I like". You would not have to make your choice of each song, only choose the DJ/Show, of which there could be thousands to choose!
About the author: Steve Bussey is a singer/songwriter/guitarist and is currently the owner and general manager of GeoSynchronous Records (http://www.pan.com/geosync, Listening Line 800 235 9193, ask for a free catalog), an indie label handling artists such as Les Dudek, Mike Pachelli, Bong Water Taffy, and Big Red & The Bus. Prior to this, Steve earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Electrical Engineering and Acoustics from Georgia Tech, designed sound equipment and guitar amps for Fender, and supervised design of communication systems for the Space Shuttle at Kennedy Space Center.
