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SA's first online radio seeks Web-savvy listeners and won't be targeting a rural audience.
2oceansvibe Radio is SA's first mainstream online radio and is powered by MWeb through its uncapped ADSL offering.
MWeb says that, with the Internet becoming more accessible for the everyday South African with cheaper and faster broadband, entertainment on the Internet is now a reality. However, co-founder of the radio station, Richard Hardiman, says until mass accessibility, 2oceansvibe will not target a rural audience.
“We are not looking for rapid take-up – it will be a number of years before the idea of Internet radio becomes an obvious choice for the masses. Internet penetration is low per capita versus access to the Internet but we are aiming at an audience who is Web-savvy and enabled. To listen to us you have to have access to the Internet, iPhones or BlackBerries.
“We are not after a large rural audience so in this case it's [low Internet penetration rate] not a concern to us. In line with global trends, it will only get cheaper, faster and more accessible.”
WWW Strategy MD Steven Ambrose says Internet radio is the next logical step in this medium. “We consider this initiative brave and forward-thinking.
“Internet penetration, specifically broadband, is set to skyrocket in the next five years in South and Southern Africa, especially once mobile broadband connectivity is taken into account.”
