Hey…have ya heard about this thing called the “Internet?”  I don’t want to scare anyone, but a few friends of mine in high places just turned me on to it.

It seems this “Internet” was invented by some guy named Al and it carries a vast range of information, resources and services, such as the inter-linked hypertext documents of the World Wide Web (WWW) across a global system of interconnected computer networks.  I have no idea what that means either.  And oh yeah, there’s electronic mail that could really set the world on its ear.

So, this Internet is apparently a game changer.  It’s going to change how we watch movies and TV, how we listen to the radio and music, how we communicate in general.  Crazy things like listening to your hometown radio stations no matter where in the world you are.

Imagine the possibilities.  You grew up in the hustle and bustle of Rhode Island and through circumstances beyond your control you’ve ended up in …ohhh… Montana.  And naturally you miss the aforementioned hustle and bustle of Rhode Island, who wouldn’t?

Now picture that same world with the “Internet.” The same scenario plays itself out but NOW you can listen to 108.6 The Big Yadda Yadd, the home of Hinky & Dinky in the morning and where rock lives all day! Does IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT?  I say …NO!

Woah.  Wait a sec.  I just had a brilliant idea.  What if…and I’m just spit balling here, there was some kind of …let’s call it a service…that you could tell some basic info about yourself to and BOOM it creates CUSTOM programming just for you.  Still spit balling here, but  say I tell this “service” that I LOVE musical acts like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Winger……and then instantly this “service” starts PLAYING MUSIC from said musical groups…PLUS….and here’s the best part, plays musical groups like those that I had no knowledge of.

Your mind is completely blown right now….right?  I better start working on that one now before someone steals it.  Imagine being a radio station when that happens.  I’d hate to be in their shoes when I open that Pandora’s Box on them.

There’d be no reason to listen to radio when that happens.  No annoying DJs, no commercials getting in the way.  It’s not like radio has anything else it can do.  It can’t pop corn or make coffee.   That industry is so screwed.  What’re radio people gonna do?  Start having exclusive, personality-driven content shows?  Pfffffft how’d that work out for AM when FM came to town?

Yeah…I tell ya, this “Internet” thing might just take off.

Ian Cohen is Production Director at The Radio Agency. Please follow The Radio Agency’s Blog “Sounding Board” by subscribing to the RSS link above. Visit our website TheRadioAgency.com