When a contemporary music enthusiast desires to hear any track across their own preferred genres, it isn’t necessary that they plug in their earbuds and tune into a regional FM station now. Alternatively, it is a popular choice to rather download the track, irrespective of the legalities involved, or go searching for them with internet-dependent music applications like Gaana, Saavn, Eros Now or Wynk Music and create an appealing song database. Even better, in times when auto-playlists are the order of the day, with a single click, you don’t need to bother a great deal about song selection and still remain a satisfied listener with a randomised pattern that caters to your choices.
It is also an interesting fact to note that Samsung has discontinued its built-in radio feature in high-end smart phones since a couple of years. Their decision to do so can still be a debatable one but a definite indicator of a gradual, yet sure, drift in the way people have begun to consume music.
With little time at one’s disposal, one doesn’t quite get past the radio commercials and commentary to the content that they actually desire. That’s where the likes of Itunes, Raaga.com and other music streaming services come into play.
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Yet RJ Chaitu, who works for Red FM, Hyderabad feels the significance of radio as a music outlet cannot still be belittled. “For a nation whose net penetration rate still isn’t the best, FM is easily the most affordable choice. The combination of information and entertainment works out better. When it comes to other choices, the issues that show up include poor buffering speeds, monotony in listening merely to the music and the lack of a personal touch while doing so,” chips in the man who anchors a two-hour long midnight show starting 11 pm that runs without commercials.
For someone like software engineer Charan, quality is a major concern. “I still bat for FM considering the quality of the rare old songs that I get to hear overnight. Most of such tracks available on apps or platforms like YouTube, the quality is amiss. “He adds, “It goes without saying that use of mobile apps have consistently shot up my net bills and I don't have a better option than radio for the long drives that I take.”
On the other hand, there’s a limitation to the range of music you get on FM stations. Perhaps its time to come up with music-specific commentary and ensure a balance between internet speeds, hassle-free buffering and the music.
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While Itunes.com, serviced by Apple works on PCs using a pay per song or album business model where legal downloading is possible , the music applications in 2G /3G enabled smartphones woo listeners with free music, provided you listen to it online. While the rates to store it on an offline basis are affordable enough, a pro (paid) service frees one from advertisements between tracks.
It’s no wonder that movie producers and bands are warming to the new media, including A R Rahman’s single from OK Bangaram ( Mental Madhilo ) and Amit Trivedi’s Bombay Velvet which have had straight launches on such platforms.
Besides, audio launches are a big deal for most of the big budgeted films made in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada languages. Most of the producers tie up with online publicity firms to release their albums online on Youtube (Jukebox) and come up with lyric videos. The hits are a good indicator of the song’s popularity, whereas it’s still a tender phase for the revenue side of it.
It is fitting that Krishna Sujeyendra, COO of QikPik Technologies justifying the same, says, “Given that there’s a wide database to choose from, the regional barriers associated with conventional radio are eliminated. Well, it’s a personal choice whether you want to be rid of the commercials and the talk. Spotify is one such music streaming service that is prevalent in other parts, but is yet to come to India. ”
Music on offer
Popular mobile apps (paid and unpaid): Gaana, Wynk Music, Saavn and Eros Now
Online live radio: Planet Radio City, Hungama, Aditya Music, Raaga.com
Pros:
Diverse genres
Auto playlists
User friendly
Cons:
Lack of a personal touch
Monotony in music listening
Internet troubles