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BlogTalkRadio

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BlogTalkRadio
File:Btr logo no beta.gif
Type of site
social Internet radio network
Created byAnal 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 sqwarked." [10]

Controversy

BlogTalkRadio is also the subject of much controversy, including the deletion of any shows that dare to question their right-wing views and also cases such as 9/11 conspiracy theory shows. This controversy segment has also been deleted by them in the past as it shows them in a bad light, however in the interests of free speech (something which they infringe upon, which is very un-constitutional of them) can be reposted freely. Also unless you are one of their staff members, the chances of getting your show featured as slim to none as BlogTalkRadio is incredibly nepotistic and reserves such rights for their favourite nepotists such as Shaun Daily and John Sweet. John Sweet himself is the main culprit of much of their inringement on the first amendment and as mentioned will delete shows discussing any topics they don't agree with rather than ackowledge peoples right to free speech as governed by the US constituion. Rather than rationally discuss any queries they have, they would much rather just delete hosts shows. BlogTalkRadio also seems to ban any shows that fails to see the US in anything other than a radiating lights and deletes any shows discussing these foreign affairs such as shows from Canada and Europe. Another insult to the hosts is that they provide one of their other nepotists; FlyLady with their own bulletin board which was previously their help bulletin board and rather than provide customer support would much rather provide one of the hosts with a free community board, however they don't provide such a service to any of their other hosts. BlogTalkRadio also tends to hire 4th rate semi-celebs and places them in irrelevant positions such as Community Manager and Fitness Expert as this brings them in increase profit through advertising, this fails to contribute to any benefit to the hosts though. Their product is also exceedingly buggy and despite whether people may report these bugs to their inferior technical support, little seems to be done to resolve these issues. For more information on how they censore shows check out The Corbett Report which discusses such cases and also provides far greater detail and also exposes their "customer relations manager" John Sweet for the infringer of human rights that he is.

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)