BlogTalkRadio is a web-based platform that allows callers to host a live call-in Internet

Internet

The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...

 broadcast using a computer and a phone.

BlogTalkRadio is entirely web-based and requires no client download.

Service

Howard Kurtz, in his Media Notes column in The Washington Post wrote about BlogTalkRadio that "The process is nearly idiot-proof. The host logs on to a Web page with a password, types in when he wants the show to air, and then -- using a garden-variety phone -- calls a special number. The computer screen lists the phone numbers of guests or listeners calling in, and the host can put as many as six on the air at once by clicking a mouse. Listeners can download a podcast version later."

The service allows up to five callers at a time, although unlimited participants can listen in.

Shows stream

Streaming media

Streaming media is multimedia that is constantly received by and presented to an end-user while being delivered by a streaming provider.The term "presented" is used in this article in a general sense that includes audio or video playback. The name refers to the delivery method of the medium rather...

 directly from the host page during live broadcasts and are archived as podcasts. Previous shows can be streamed, downloaded directly or subscribed to as podcasts via RSS

RSS

-Mathematics:* Root-sum-square, the square root of the sum of the squares of the elements of a data set* Residual sum of squares in statistics-Technology:* RSS , "Really Simple Syndication" or "Rich Site Summary", a family of web feed formats...

 through any podcatcher like Juice or iTunes

ITunes

iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....

.

BlogTalkRadio provides promotional badges and flash player code for placement on blogs, MySpace

MySpace

Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....

, Facebook

Facebook

Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...

 and other Social network

Social network

A social network is a social structure made up of individuals called "nodes", which are tied by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.Social...

ing sites.

As of February 1st, 2011, only the 30-minute service will be free. To host a show for an hour or more, there will be a monthly fee.

BlogTalkRadio has been called "a populist force in cyberspace."

Condé Nast Portfolio

Condé Nast Portfolio

Portfolio.com is a website published by American City Business Journals that provides news and information for small to mid-sized businesses. It was formerly the website for the monthly business magazine Condé Nast Portfolio, published by Condé Nast from 2007 to 2009.Portfolio.com is continually...

 referred to BlogTalkRadio as a site that "has become the dominant player in the latest media trend, one that allows anyone with a Web connection to host a talk show on any topic at any time of day. It is the newest form of new media; the audio version of the internet blog." In the same article, however, the profitability of the service was called into question as BlogTalkRadio was then operating at a loss."

History

After setting up a blog to update his family on his ailing father, Alan Levy, a former accountant and telecommunications executive, launched the service in August, 2006, as a way to allow bloggers to communicate directly with their audiences in real time.

Cinch

Called "the simplest podcast API ever," Cinch allows anyone to dial the Cinch number and record a podcast with a built in RSS feed without any preregistration or prior setup.

See also

• Justin.tv
  Justin.tv
  Justin.tv is a website created by Justin Kan, Emmett Shear, Michael Seibel and Kyle Vogt in 2007 that allows anyone to broadcast video online. Justin.tv user accounts are called "channels", and users are encouraged to broadcast a wide variety of user-generated live video content, called...
  
  
• Livestream
  Livestream
  Livestream, formerly known as Mogulus, is a live streaming video platform that allows users to view and broadcast video content using a camera and a computer through the internet...
  
  
• Lifecasting (video stream)
  Lifecasting (video stream)
  Lifecasting is a continual broadcast of events in a person's life through digital media. Typically, lifecasting is transmitted through the medium of the Internet and can involve wearable technology...
  
  
• Tinychat
  Tinychat
  Tinychat is an internet chat service that allows users to communicate via instant messaging, voice and video chat. It offers thousands of chat rooms and the ability for users to create their own virtual chat room on any topic or category. Tinychat is a web based system that works on Linux, Windows...
  
  
• Ustream.tv
• Flipzu.com (mobile live audio)