Shoutcast.

Shoutcast is not a broadcasting company, although there is a hub and directory at www.shoutcast.com Shoutcast is free software that allows someone to set up their own server for internet broadcasting. Unfortunately there is no Mac or Unix version of the management tools. However, listeners can listen on any platform- Mac users should use iTunes. There is extensive documentation on the Shoutcast site. For listeners, Shoutcast currently offers around 17000 stations. The Shoutcast site has a directory and search tools. Unfortunately, the search tools don't seem to be as useful as with Live 365. Bit-rates on Shoutcast stations vary from low to high. Shoutcast stations don't provide a player window like Live 365. Track details can be viewed in your computer's player, but obviously there isn't the provision for direct links for listeners to buy your music, as with Live 365. Obviously websites for the stations could provide this. Nevertheless Shoutcast doesn't provide the same possibility for the seamless integration of broadcasting and e-commerce as Live 365.

For artists, Shoutcast offers much the same possibilities as Live 365. Approaching DJs is a bit more laborious because Shoutcast is less centralized than Live 365. However, the same assessment applies- The more specialized your music, the more essential working Shoutcast is likely to be, because there will almost certainly be shows dedicated to broadcasting your particular style worldwide 24/7/365.