Technology is a wonderful
thing. It's something we expect to
evolve and change, yet...as it does, it often throws a virtual monkey-wrench
into the "stream" of events.
Take WION's streaming for
instance. We started streaming AM stereo
quite a few years back, and had two very basic apps, one for Android one for
Apple (I-phone) users. Simple, right?
Well, it was...but...times
change. The Apple forces operating system updates to phones, and old apps get
outdated. Then, the app submission
people slow things down, and demand certain things of their designers. Meanwhile, on the android side, the old,
original WION app from a company called "Viastreaming" continues to
work if you have it from Google Play, but it won't be there long. It may even
read, "Incompatible" with your devices" while it really works
fine if downloaded.
Enter today's streaming
environment. The station is so thankful and fortunate to have the City of Ionia and the Ionia Area
Chamber of Commerce paying for our streaming licensing and bandwidth! Not only do we pay to play the music on the
air as many of you know (thanks to my ranting on the morning show)...but also
we pay extra fees to have it on the web!
Every song's artist and title are logged, and a company called
"Streamlicensing dot com" which then takes our monthly subscription
fee, and, in turn, pays our (online only) royalties to BMI, ASCAP
SESAC, and Soundexchange.
All sources of listening to
WION originate from the Streamlicensing source, so all types of listening are
accounted-for in keeping our royalties paid. We even have one extra stream, the
mp3 kind, hosted by satelliteguys.us which is also monitored for use and
royalties. This one serves many internet appliances like radios and other
tabletop devices that do not support the newer AAC+ streaming technology.
So, fast forward to now. As
of the writing of this, our online apps are changing. The original app for WION on Android
co-exists with the brand-new Android app, but for how long we don't know, so
look for the newer one in Google Play. It's very simple, and the video ads are
controlled by the company which doesn't charge for their services. That keeps
our cost down. The app includes basic
contact us abilities through your phone's own e-mail app and shows you what has
been played.
The new I-phone app is
pending. Apple is waiting for the old
(yet recent) app to be pulled so the newer version, built basically the same as
the Android one, can be populated. During
this wait time, (and there will probably be a wait for Apple to approve the new
WION app even after it's submitted) if you're an Apple iPhone user, your option
to continue with listening online is to use the app called, "Tune-In
Radio." It's the same people that have an app on your smart TV to enjoy
audio through your home theatre system.
So, please, if you're an iPhone user, don't abandon us, Grab Tune-In,
and continue to enjoy WION while you wait.
It's easy at home to enjoy
us! If you have an Amazon Echo device,
just ask it to play WION Radio! It may
also respond under "America's
Biggest Little Radio Station" or sometimes, "I-1430!" The same applies to the Google Home devices
for enjoying WION whenever you want.
There may come a time when
we need a dedicated "skill" developed for the Amazon world, we're
discussing that now...but...for the moment, a little persistence in learning
what phrase works for YOUR ALEXA will pay off in great music and information
delivered to you free as always, from WION.
Confused? Don't be. We're working hard to keep ahead of
the required changes, laws, licensing, and technology so that we truly are
available on almost any device, almost anywhere!
By the way, all of our
streams are 100 percent duplicates of the on-air product. You hear all our
shows, all our local announcers, and all our local advertisers who help keep
WION growing!
There is one thing you can
do to help us. Today's streaming would
not be possible without the help of a dear friend to the station, owner of
www.satelliteguys.us and all-around good guy, Scott Greczkowski. He adopted WION many years ago as
a favorite radio station when I first joined the site. Check out his site, enjoy the topics of
technology, but also cooking, sports, TV shows, local radio, and so much more. We also couldn't afford to stream without our
Premier Sponsors: The City of Ionia and
the Ionia Area Chamber of Commerce. Please thank them with an e-mail or a note
in a bill you're paying. We also are
welcoming "Day Sponsors" like Golden PC to help take up the slack of
increased costs to develop and maintain our audio online services to you.
Some GREAT people make it
possible for this little radio station, WION to do what some big ones
don't: Keep up with technology, remain
local, and serve you with the best sound and best availability possible.
Rest assured, if your app
is not working, we're an e-mail or Facebook post, or Skype text message, or
even a call away! All our contact info
is on our website at www.i1430.com.
With our steam, we are bringing WION to the world. Because of our unique AM Stereo sound people from around the world tune in to hear what AM Stereo sounds like and they get hooked on our music variety and information updates. Many from around the world make us part of their daily routine, and I am proud to say that some even make WION a destination while on their vacations just because of WION. Yes folks, WION really is putting Ionia on the map!
With our steam, we are bringing WION to the world. Because of our unique AM Stereo sound people from around the world tune in to hear what AM Stereo sounds like and they get hooked on our music variety and information updates. Many from around the world make us part of their daily routine, and I am proud to say that some even make WION a destination while on their vacations just because of WION. Yes folks, WION really is putting Ionia on the map!
The technology will always
be changing and we will do our best to keep everything up to date for you. So,
now...go download the app which suits you best, and we'll keep bringing you
great radio...from America's
Biggest Little Radio Station.