HIstory of Internet Radio

Internet radio began around 1990. Thanks in part to the World Wide Web, we can broadcast audio signals and access internet radio from anywhere in the world. There are three different components that are streamed; audio stream source, audio stream repeater, and audio stream playback. The repeater converts the audio bits into a streaming format, while the source makes it available, and the playback system retrieves the content. It has become a large communication base for talk shows, political debates, women’s issues, and more. Basically, any computer with internet access can be converted into an internet radio receiver with the download of software like Windows Media Player or RealOne. Today internet broadcasters can take requests from listeners, provide album cover art, and links to buy CDs. The playlists can handle over 50,000 files. There is a “Gap killer” available that removes the gap between two tracks. Previously, broadcasts had to be stopped whenever something was changed or inserted like advertisements. Although today you need to have a PC with internet access to get internet radio, as technology evolves, it could become available on mobile phones and car audio systems in the near future.
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/internet-radio-broadcasting.html