How to collide new media and old media?

May 29, 2007 7:11 AM

What features should I put into my new radio show's website? I'm thinking of forums or something, but ideally there should be something more, I think?

I just started a new college radio show after almost a year of silence. I think I can get back into the groove of the actual show mechanics just fine on my own, but I'm at a loss as to how to best communicate with listeners about upcoming events, and past playlists, and other stuff.

I'm thinking that a message board is a signifcant part, plus a blog-type component

I'm using Joomla to put the site together, and I'm not too bad with PHP.

posted by mkb to Computers & Internet (9 answers total)

IMO, Joomla seems like overkill. I'd go for a simple, widgeted WordPress install, with a calendar widget, maybe a threaded message board. You can embed a feed from yes.com to give yourself a live, real-time playlist.
posted by jbickers at 7:22 AM on May 29, 2007

Response by poster: Actually, we are a member station of Spinitron, so that might do just as well.

WordPress has threaded discussions? I wasn't able to find a calendar plugin before, but I just found one that can suck in an iCal (which means upcoming.org integration, very handy!)
posted by mkb at 7:37 AM on May 29, 2007

Best answer: WordPress has threaded discussions?

Not out of the box, but here are four options for you. I've been meaning to poke around with them, but haven't had the chance yet.
posted by jbickers at 8:12 AM on May 29, 2007

Maybe transcripts, so the search engines can increase your rankings.
posted by hodyoaten at 8:26 AM on May 29, 2007

I would want a listing of what music played (or if you know in advance, what /will/ play). If you're clever, you can make this automatic. Keep this for a long time.
http://music.minnesota.publicradio.org/programs/c24/listings/

Use last.fm to store ("scrobble") that information. Embed a widget in your news weblog that links to all the music you've played.
Link to my recents: http://www.last.fm/user/chadmiller/charts/?charttype=recenttracks

You need a tiny program to insert each track. Getting or making one should be easy. Integrating or remembering to use it is up to you. http://www.audioscrobbler.net/wiki/
posted by cmiller at 8:28 AM on May 29, 2007

Response by poster: I do already use Last.fm. It wouldn't work for this show since most of the music is played from physical media. We do have the above-mentioned spinitron.

What exactly is meant by transcripts? This is a music broadcast. No talk, so I'm not sure what value there is in transcripts along with playlists?
posted by mkb at 8:31 AM on May 29, 2007

I think blog + board is overkill, unless you have a dedicated community that has a lot to say. Its kinda sad seeing these sites with all these features that no one is using. I'd think with a radio show, a blog + a mailing list for updates, events, and promotions is more than enough.
posted by damn dirty ape at 9:08 AM on May 29, 2007

Definitely do a playlist. And maybe a "Other artists to check out" list.
posted by electroboy at 11:53 AM on May 29, 2007

Best answer: An upcoming concert calendar. New releases by "your" artists. Links to their sites. Playlists, playlists, playlists. Contact information (for schwag from labels that see you are playing their bands).
posted by adipocere at 12:33 PM on May 29, 2007