Online radio gets democratized

In 1998, PhilRadio began its live Filipino radio programming on the Internet. It caters to Filipinos abroad who miss radio shows back home.

Last August 2006, I got the chance to talk to Wilson Chua of eRadioPortal and featured him in the 12th episode of the DigitalFilipino podcast. Wilson has a small information technology company based in Dagupan City. The idea of putting up eRadioPortal started with his desire to listen to a jazz radio station, which is not available in their city. But when Microsoft Windows Media Services became available, it opened the opportunity for Wilson to venture in this project and it went live in 2002.

Today, eRadioPortal hosts numerous radio programs from all over the Philippines, being streamed to the rest of the world. He cited several advantages why radio stations should consider going online. This includes:

• Reach out to the rest of the world where there’s nearly eight million diaspora and overseas workers. As majority of listeners are based outside the country, Wilson often receives emails of appreciation for the service they provide that made home much more closer to them. There’s no wonder why our diaspora are as much attuned and sensitive to the situation of the country today. Online radio has empowered them to listen to the issues first hand and interact in discussions.
  
• Prime time programming no longer exists as time boundaries have shattered. Therefore, advertisers need to appreciate or recognize the value of this medium since commercials can also be listened to abroad.
  

In the last iBlog3, Wilson (handout) was very much optimistic on podcast growth globally and confirms that the Philippines listens to a lot of podcasts and local radio stations online.

Website owners who uses a podcast also increases their site popularity. There's the time shifting advantage where people can listen from different time zones.

Content is also portable as it can be consume wherever. Media companies are also using podcast as a tool to combat pirates.

This only proves the usefulness of the Internet, whose level of use and purpose are dependent on each one of us.

As Wilson announced during iBlog3, they are now looking for interested content providers who would like to host their programs in eRadioPortal.

Hottest or Emerging Trend in Philippine Blogging

I'll be moderating the Blogging Trends Panel for iBlog3 and would like to request for three (3) topic suggestions on what do you think will be the hottest or emerging thing (and who can be invited to represent them) in Philippine Blogging this 2007. Those topics and people shall be invited to join this panel.

Some ideas:

1. Making money through blogs
Because there are now more Filipino bloggers who earn through blogging.

2. Community blogging
There are now more blogging communities created, whether for strategic revenue generation purposes or for niche market segment, that allows more bloggers to be recognized as well.

3. Election blogging
Not sure if it is hot or only a short-term trend.

4. Competitive blogging (contests and more)
There's growing rivalry or competition in the local blogosphere and there'll be more.

5. Youth blogging
Comprising the biggest segment of Philippine bloggers today. With the ability to earn online and even compete much easier today, will they become a serious force this year?

6. Mobile blogging
It hasn't clicked much in the past but will it do this year?

7. Celebrity blogging
The growing number of personalities or aspiring artists blogging online to showcase themselves.

8. Video blogging
Most creative uses of YouTube and similar technologies. (expecting to be more this year)
Perhaps feature most popular Pinoy YouTube member.

9. Podcasting
Podcast advertising revenue surged to US$80 million in revenue in 2006. The media networks are now doing it. Will 2007 be a prime year for serious podcasting?

Your feedback will be very much appreciated.

Registration for iBlog3 will be announced soon. I encourage you to sponsor this FREE and non-profit event, visit http://www.iblogph.org to learn about the packages.

Estehanon Podcast

I was searching at Podomatic looking for Podcasts made by Filipinos, for Filipinos. True enough, there's one that really caught my attention and that is the Estehanon podcast. It delivers local news and perspectives from Samar. I hope that Podomatic will provide a feature where listeners can contribute a fee (to cover hosting cost) and help guys like Byron maximize the space, and not having to delete previous podcast episodes. May podcasts like Estehanon inspire others to create highly relevant podcasting content attune to the needs of listeners to be informed - on current developments throughout the country.

DigitalFilipino.com Podcast Episode 1

We just uploaded the first episode of the DigitalFilipino.com Podcast. Check it out!

Listen as I tackle information productivity tools and payment gateway technologies that I'm using today.

The twice-a-month DigitalFilipino Podcast has the following segments:
- DigitalFilipino.com Updates
- Events
- Ask Janette

For future episodes, we will also have special guest to be featured.

I also realized that I had a little date glitch in this 1st episode and hope will do better next time.

Thank you for the support!