REC Networks implements RadioDNS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
REC Networks has completed its first phase of deployment of RadioDNS. RadioDNS is an open standard which has been in use in Europe for over a decade and has been recently embraced in the United States. RadioDNS permits any FM radio station to have their logos, station information metadata, internet audio streams and program schedules made available to connected cars and other compatible devices with very little resource requirement by the radio station.
RadioDNS utilizes the existing domain name server (DNS) structure of the internet. A radio receiver "discovers" stations by making a call to a domain name server operated by RadioDNS based on the station's frequency and RDS Program Identification (PI) code or their FCC facility ID for stations operating HD Radio. RadioDNS then returns the server, operated by the station or a third party service provider which houses the data in an XML file as well as hosting the image files. This information is then delivered to the radio receiver to be presented to the listener.
Some of the features of RadioDNS include:
- Station Information (SI) - This is the station's name, a description of the station, information on links to websites and internet audio streams.
- Program Information (PI) - This is information on the station's program schedule that can be viewed on the consumer's equipment.
- Service Following - For FM and HD stations with internet streams, Service Following will switch the listener to the internet stream when they leave the FM station's service area and will return them to the FM broadcast when they return to the broadcast area.
- Slideshows - The station can "push" promotional images, advertising, etc. to a consumer radio. (Since this pushing is done over the internet and not over the air, it does not have implications for LPFM and other noncommercial educational stations.)
- Other applications such as analytics and future potential options such as geotargeting of information.
Current auto makers who are involved in RadioDNS include Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and BMW.
Current US broadcast groups that are involved include iHeart Media, Beasley, Cox Media, Cumulus, Urban One, Entercom and Educational Media Foundation. In addition, some NPR affilliates are providing RadioDNS services hosted by the NPR Public Radio Satellite System (PRSS).
REC's first implementation of RadioDNS is now live on our broadcast query site, FCCdata.org. When a station is looked up on FCCdata, it will do a real time check to see if the station is registered with RadioDNS and if so, it will return the metadata and logo for the station as well as any published website links and audio streaming services. FCCdata also supports stations that deliver Programme Information (PI) service to display the station's program schedules.
For stations with streaming, those using FCCdata.org will be able to click on a link to launch an audio player window. If the station also provides program schedules, the popup window will expand in size and include the program schedule. Program schedules are also available on main FCCdata website by clicking on the "Schedule" link if one is shown.
Our RadioDNS support in FCCdata is now available on FM station listings in the United States and the United Kingdom.
In order to participate in RadioDNS, a station minimally needs the following:
- An FM transmitter with Radio Data Service (RDS) properly configured or HD Radio (the former option is very inexpensive for LPFMs and small stations and chances are, your station is already transmitting RDS).
- Web hosting to house an XML file, 5 image files and has access to modify the site's domain name server (DNS) configuration.
There are no licensing fees to implement RadioDNS as it is a non-proprietary international standard. There are providers that can provide these services. One such company is REC supporter Aiir (aiir.com), which has integrated RadioDNS in their content management system (CMS) offering.
Project Logo is a worldwide effort of RadioDNS with a goal of getting metadata and logo images from as many stations around the world as possible. To support Project Logo, REC is actively developing very basic RadioDNS hosting services for Low Power FM (LPFM) broadcast stations through our myLPFM portal (mylpfm.com). Using myLPFM, LPFM stations will be able to upload their logo images, set their station's basic information and then send a request to RadioDNS to register their station so it can be discovered by compatible connected devices. We expect our myLPFM functionality to be launched right around the new year. The next release of myLPFM is on hold due to a delay at the Federal Emergency Management Agency due to new functionality that will interface with the Integrated Public Warning and Alert System (IPAWS). REC also plans to offer at no additional charge to our past clients, the ability to take advantage of service following and other interactive features such as placing website links on consumer radios. Those stations needing a more advanced offering such as program schedule support can arrange that through Aiir's paid services. While REC will be providing free hosting for LPFM stations, we are not entering the web hosting business. Aiir remains an REC recommended provider for web hosting services including advanced RadioDNS services.
We will make a subsequent announcement when we are ready to accept LPFM stations for basic RadioDNS hosting.
To give LPFM a head start, REC has already implemented RadioDNS on our J1 HD audio service (j1hd.com) which is currently being carried in Southern California on KBUU-LP, 99.1 HD 3. We will soon have program schedule information available on there. The J1 HD implementation of RadioDNS is using the Aiir solution and REC will use it as a demonstration of how the advanced solution can work for LPFM stations.More information about RadioDNS can be found at radiodns.org.
For release notes on REC's phase 1 implementation of RadioDNS functionality, see:
https://recnet.com/node/3704
REC Networks looks forward to working with our new friends at RadioDNS as we continue to explore this exciting open standard and we encourage every broadcast station, LPFM, noncommercial and commercial to participate.
# # # # #
About REC Networks: REC Networks, operated by Michelle Bradley, CBT is a regulatory advocacy with a focus on a citizen's access to the airwaves through broadcast and nonbroadcast FCC regulated radio services with a heavy emphasis on the Low Power FM (LPFM) radio service as well as small noncommercial educational (NCE) broadcast stations. REC also operates an extensive database of current and archived broadcast information data from the United States, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Japan, the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. REC does provide professional FCC filing services to noncommercial and commercial FM clients. REC also operates J1 Radio, four internet channels including one that is available over terrestrial radio that introduces listeners to Japanese popular culture and provides a "more music" alternative to the local radio stations in Japan through localized content geared towards the Tokyo metropolis. REC Networks. Providing entertainment, information, education and support since 1984.
REC Networks websites:
Media Contact:
Michelle Bradley, CBT
202 621-2355, option 4
