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BlogTalkRadio
File:Btr logo no beta.gif
Type of site
social Internet radio network
Created byAlan Levy
URLhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com
RegistrationFree, required to host, optional to listen

BlogTalkRadio is a web-based platform that allows anyone to host a live call-in Internet broadcast using a computer and a phone.[1] [2] BlogTalkRadio is entirely web-based and requires no client download.[3]

Howard Kurtz, in his Media Notes column in The Washington Post wrote about BlogTalkRadio that "the process is nearly idiot-proof. The host logs on to a Web page with a password, types in when he wants the show to air, and then -- using a garden-variety phone -- calls a special number. The computer screen lists the phone numbers of guests or listeners calling in, and the host can put as many as six on the air at once by clicking a mouse. Listeners can download a podcast version later."[4]

The service allows up to five callers at a time[3], although unlimited participants can listen in.[5]

Shows stream directly from the host page during live broadcasts and are archived as podcasts.[3] Previous shows can be streamed, downloaded directly or subscribed to as podcasts via RSS through any podcatcher like Juice or iTunes.[1][3][2]

BlogTalkRadio provides promotional badges and flash player code for placement on blogs, MySpace, Facebook and other Social networking sites.[6][2]

There is no cost for the service because it's advertising-supported.[5][4]

BlogTalkRadio has been called "a populist force in cyberspace."[4]

Condé Nast Portfolio referred to BlogTalkRadio as a site that "has become the dominant player in the latest media trend, one that allows anyone with a Web connection to host a talk show on any topic at any time of day. It is the newest form of new media; the audio version of the internet blog."[7]

History

After setting up a blog to update his family on his ailing father, the service was launched in August, 2006, by Alan Levy, a former accountant and successful telecommunications executive, who wanted to provide a way for bloggers to communicate directly with their audiences in real time.[6][4]

Cinch

Called, "the simplest podcast API ever,"[8] Cinch allows anyone to dial the Cinch number and record a podcast with a built in RSS feed without any preregistration or prior setup.[9]

Jericho

Host Shaun Daily likes to claim credit with helping bring back the CBS Show Jericho with the "Nuts" campaign.[5] "When word began to circulate that the series wasn't going to get a second season, he urged his listeners to ship nuts to CBS headquarters in Los Angeles and New York. 'I said, "I don't know if it's going to work, but we've got to try,"' Daily said." [10]

Controversy

BlogTalkRadio is also the subject of much controversy, tending to delete or ban the shows who offer opinions that don't agree with their own far right-wing views. Shows that are broadcast by hosts outside of the US, and more notably; shows that offer to show the US and its Government in anything other than a glowing light are subject to be deleted by their "attack-hound" Customer Relations Manager; John Sweet. Shows have been deleted for discussing 9/11 conspiracies as well as shows broadcast from Canada and Europe that criticize the US Government. The irony here being that such action leaves BlogTalkRadio libel to prosecution for infringing the rights of free speech for the host and the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution.

They will also tend to hire D-list celebrities and offer them positions within the company to provide them with cheap promotion, unfortunatly the people such as their "Health And Fitness" advisor and "Community Manager" have little to no clue about what is actually involved in the job, and are, in-effect, being paid for nothing.

Also of note is that unless you work for BlogTalkRadio you have very little chance of getting any publicity or a show featured as this tends to be reserved for their employees that also broadcast, most commonly hosts such as Shaun Daily and John Sweet.

They also provide a community discussion board for one of their semi-employee/hosts who happens to bring them in a lot of money, called Flylady, although they do not extend this to any of the other hosts hinting at extreme nepotism within the higher brances of the companies Management.

There are also numerous reports of complaints about the customer support (managed by John Sweet) with reports that they will rather just delete and ban a host and their shows rather than rationally and fairly discuss any concerns BlogTalkRadio have with show content such as conspiracy shows or far left-wing shows.

In The News

References

  1. ^ a b White, Gary (2007-08-20), "Movie Buffs Go Big Online", The Ledger (Lakeland, FL) {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  2. ^ a b c Havenstein, Heather (2007-08-03), "Los Angeles Fire Department all 'aTwitter' over Web 2.0", Computerworld {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  3. ^ a b c d Rowland, Kara (2006-12-06), "Service blends blogs, radio", The Washington Times (DC) {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  4. ^ a b c d Kurtz, Howard (2008-03-24), "With BlogTalkRadio, the Commentary Universe Expands", The Washington Post {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  5. ^ a b c Thomasch, Paul (2007-12-27), "Aspiring radio talkers need only a computer & phone", Reuters {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  6. ^ a b McKay, Martha (2007-01-21), "An idea born amid grief: Keeping ties during illness leads to BlogTalkRadio", The Record (Hackensack, NJ) {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  7. ^ Levine, David (2008-02-26), "All Talk?", Conde Nast Portfolio {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  8. ^ Winer, David (2008-02-18), "the simplest podcast API ever", Scripting News {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  9. ^ Hopkins, Mark (2008-02-19), "CinchCast: Podcasting Made Even Easier", Mashable.com {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  10. ^ Amatangelo, Amy (2008-02-10), "Battle-Scarred 'Jericho' Marches On: A Testament To What Can Happen When Fans Go Nuts", The Washington Post {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
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