Frequently Asked Broadcaster Questions
General Questions
What is AudioNow's mission?
Our mission is to expand the free and open distribution of radio to any mobile device. A public with easier access to more information is empowered to make better choices. Fact: Over 80% of the public does not access data services and relies on standard mobile phones.
How reliable is your network?
Extremely reliable. AudioNow was developed and designed by one of the top telecommunications engineering groups in the industry. We utilize proprietary technology that undergoes constant testing and refinement to ensure a near perfect experience for your listeners. We operate and manage our own data servers for constant quality and performance monitoring.
How can broadcasters become part of AudioNow's network?
We only work with recognized and well funded (established) radio stations that have ownership of their content and have qualified to be part of the AudioNow network. We are adding stations and listeners regularly and work with broadcasters that share our commitment to free and open media access on any mobile device. Please note: we only connect broadcasters that are broadcasting their content on a live basis and are in compliance with all royalty and DRM conventions in the US and abroad. For more detailed information or to view the Terms of Service Agreement, contact info@audionow.com.
What does it cost our station to connect to AudioNow?
Stations that meet our criteria pay an initial one-time connection and programming fee of $200. stations must meet certain internal thresholds to qualify for participation. We carefully review the listener data and other factors that you submit to AudioNow and will notify you within 48 hours of submission if your request is approved.. broadcasters that do not promote or cannot maintain continuous listeners may be requested to consider alternative arrangements.
My station needs technical support for AudioNow. How can we make our request?
If your station is currently in the AudioNow network simply fill out this support form and our Technical Support Team will respond to you as within hours.
What does my station need to do in order to be on the AudioNow® service?
Complete the broadcaster registration information in its entirety including acceptance of the broadcaster Agreement. We will promptly review your station's information and contact you with any additional verification information.
Are there any special technical requirements that my station needs to consider?
We require an MP3 stream of your live broadcasts. In addition, you will need to send us a brief 10 second or less "station identification" and welcome notice that listeners will hear as soon as their call is connected. In the event you can't provide an MP3 stream, our technical team may be able to assist. Please contact us for further details.
My station does not stream in MP3. What should we do?
Can’t stream in MP3? No problem. AudioNow supports the leading multiple stream formats. You can use the excellent free Edcast encoder to provide us an MP3 stream. Please contact us for further details.
Once I am accepted on the AudioNow® service what is required of me?
It’s up to you to let listeners know that they can hear your broadcast through AudioNow. You will need to place the AudioNow® icon and access number we assign to you, on your home page and wherever your station promotes itself on social networks. You will need to submit a brief marketing plan on a form we provide that describes how you will promote the service, as well as a press release which we must approve. For more information, please contact publicaffairs@AudioNow.com for marketing ideas.
What are the most effective ways to promote this service to our listeners?
There is simply no more effective way than to mention the service on the air at regular intervals, email your registered listener list, and place the AudioNow® icon on your home page and social networks. Many of our stations will contact their listeners via Facebook/Twitter as well.
Is this service free to the listeners?
Yes. Unlike Satellite radio or cable/satellite TV, AudioNow is a resource for broadcasters allowing the broadcasters to offer free radio over the air or over streaming radio. AudioNow does not charge listeners for access to our service. Mobile callers should check their plan for any per minute charges.
How can we track our success?
Registered broadcasters can access a report page where they can view usage statistics.
How long does it take for our station to be up and running?
From the time we receive your MP3 stream and gateway station identification audio clip, most stations are up and running in days. Before going live, we will require the broadcaster to place the AudioNow® icon on their home page and social networks with the unique phone number we assign and take the necessary steps to let listeners know they can hear your broadcast on any phone.
Can I select a specific access phone number for my listeners to call?
Unfortunately, no. We rely on national telecom operators that assign unique access numbers for AudioNow listeners.
I would like to have a toll free number. Is this possible?
We do not make toll free numbers available given their significant per minute costs. stations that have a local or toll free number they wish to use can sometimes “port” or transfer the number to AudioNow. For information on porting or transferring an existing number to AudioNow, contact your local telecom provider and complete the Technical Support Request under the broadcaster tab.
What about international broadcasters located outside of the USA?
No problem. AudioNow allows you to expand distribution of the broadcast content you are generating to listeners in the USA, provided you meet the requirements on our Registration page.
Does AudioNow provide service in countries other than in the United States?
Yes. Because of our scale, we are able to maintain cooperation agreements with telecoms in many countries where our international patents are enforced and the broadcaster has a strong market position. To determine whether AudioNow is available in your country contact marketing@AudioNow.com. As the world's fastest growing provider of broadcast content over mobile voice networks, we are constantly expanding around the globe.
Does AudioNow Run advertisements?
Yes. AudioNow is an ad-supported service.
Can the broadcaster earn revenue from ads on AudioNow?
Yes.Subject to certain minimum call volumes, revenues for ads played just prior to the stream are shared equally with our broadcasters.
Can I opt out of your advertisements?
We provide a very valuable service to our broadcasters at no cost to them. Our business model relies on playing gateway ads.
What type of advertisements do you play just prior to my station's stream?
We understand that each broadcaster has different audiences. We strive to play only family-friendly advertising. If, for whatever reason, you find the advertising we play in any way objectionable, please contact us and we will do everything we can to rectify the situation. For a description of our advertising guidelines, please see AudioNow’s Advertising Guidelines and Standards.
Do I need to have a US bank account to get paid?
No, but it’s preferable. U.S. bank accounts have lower transfer fees. For more information, see our methods of payment.
How will I get paid?
We pay our broadcasters via check (U.S. only), ACH transfer (U.S. only), wire transfer, or Pay Pal.
Who pays the money transfer fee?
We will deduct a $25 money transfer fee from the payment to be disbursed to the broadcaster. It is the responsibility of the broadcasters to choose the best payment method for them.
Can I run my own ads in the gateway audio clip?
No. The gateway clips are solely for the purpose of identifying the station. Interesting in running ads on your stream? Contact marketing@AudioNow.com.
When will you run ads?
We will only run ads prior to the start of your broadcast. The ads will be limited to one ad per call and will not exceed 15 seconds in length.
How can I track the revenues I have earned?
You will receive monthly reports with the amounts you have earned. These reports will be accessible on your account page.
I prefer not to run ads at all. Can I still access the service?
Our service is free to you, the broadcaster, only because we are able to recuperate our costs via advertising that we play at the start of each call. If you insist on not running the gateway ad, please contact us to make alternative arrangements that will cover our costs associated with your station’s call volume.
I am not a US company. Can I participate in the program?
Yes, provided that you complete and execute the proper tax documents and meet all the requirements that we have specified in our Addendum (also available on our registration page).
Participation by Non-Commercial Educational (NCE) broadcasters in AudioNow’s Revenue-Sharing Program
Is AudioNow a broadcaster?
No. AudioNow is not a broadcaster, but a technology bridge allowing mobile phone users to access participating broadcaster streams. Definitions and licensing requirements for broadcaster categories in the U.S. can be found at http://transition.fcc.gov/licenses.html. The FCC provides a link to the NTIA Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management glossary of telecommunications terms, which further defines a broadcasting service.
Is AudioNow subject to Section 399(a)(1) of the Communications Act, which prohibits a non-commercial radio station from airing advertising?
AudioNow’s position is that the FCC's prohibition against advertising applies only to non-commercial educational ("NCE") broadcasters licensed by the FCC. AudioNow is not a broadcaster as defined by the FCC. AudioNow may insert advertising before connecting a caller to any radio station’s broadcast content, even when the broadcaster is a public or non-profit community radio station. Broadcasters should seek their own counsel.
Are Non-Commercial Educational (“NCE”) Radio stations Eligible for AudioNow’s Revenue Share Program?
Yes. AudioNow proudly underwrites and supports public and non-profit community radio through monetary contributions to the station, based on the station's participation in AudioNow’s Revenue Share Program. AudioNow is aware that NCEs may not broadcast advertisements for remuneration that “contain comparative or qualitative descriptions, price information, calls to action, or inducements to buy, sell, rent or lease” goods, products, or services. AudioNow is flexible in the type and frequency of promotional announcements a station is required to air in order to qualify for the Revenue Share Program. The announcements commonly aired by NCEs to acknowledge sponsors, underwriters, or contributors are sufficient to qualify the station for the Revenue Share program. Specifically, note this excerpt from the FCC website at http://transition.fcc.gov/mb/audio/nature.html: [The FCC] reiterates that acknowledgements should be made for identification purposes only and should not promote the contributor's products, services, or company. For example, logos or logograms used by corporations or businesses are permitted so long as they do not contain comparative or qualitative descriptions of the donor's products or services. Similarly, company slogans which contain general product-line descriptions are acceptable if not designed to be promotional in nature. We also believe that the inclusion of a telephone number in an acknowledgement is within these general guidelines and, therefore permissible." A logo or on-air announcement of the AudioNow brand name, along with a simple slogan and the assigned cell number are sufficient to qualify the station for the Revenue Share Program.
Can a non-commercial station encourage listeners to access the Broadcast via the AudioNow number without violating Section 399(a)(1)?
Yes. Section 399(b) allows NCEs to promote their own services and facilities. It states: "[E]ach public broadcast station shall be authorized to engage in the offering of services, facilities, or products in exchange for remuneration." To the extent that informing callers of the option to listen to the station via cell phone is promoting the station's own service offering, the NCE may freely encourage listeners to access the station through the AudioNow access number. Each NCE may determine for itself how to best inform its listening public about the availability of the NCE's broadcast content via the AudioNow infrastructure, in keeping with its FCC licensing status.
Do you account for music royalty payments for stations that are available to AudioNow listeners?
AudioNow does not account for music royalty payments because it falls under a statutory exemption for performances of a work through the AudioNow® system to a telephone.
17 U.S.C. Section 110(5)(A) states the following:
(5)(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), communication of a transmission embodying a performance or display of a work by the public reception of the transmission on a single receiving apparatus of a kind commonly used in private homes, unless - (i) a direct charge is made to see or hear the transmission; or (ii) the transmission thus received is further transmitted to the public;
AudioNow's position is that a telephone is clearly a "single receiving apparatus commonly used in private homes." AudioNow does not charge to hear the transmission and the transmission received is not further transmitted to the public. Section (B) does not apply to AudioNow's transmissions. Section (B) relates to performances intended to be received by the general public in places such as food services or drinking establishments or the performance occurs in an establishment larger than 2,000 gross square feet of space. (Check the copyright code for more details about Section (B)). The AudioNow® system was designed to fall neatly in the exception set forth in Section 110(5). While AudioNow cannot control whether ASCAP approaches any particular radio station using AudioNow, our position is straightforward and we do not expect music royalty payments to be a substantive issue for radio stations or users of the AudioNow® service.
17 U.S.C. Section 110(5)(A) states the following:
(5)(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), communication of a transmission embodying a performance or display of a work by the public reception of the transmission on a single receiving apparatus of a kind commonly used in private homes, unless - (i) a direct charge is made to see or hear the transmission; or (ii) the transmission thus received is further transmitted to the public;
AudioNow's position is that a telephone is clearly a "single receiving apparatus commonly used in private homes." AudioNow does not charge to hear the transmission and the transmission received is not further transmitted to the public. Section (B) does not apply to AudioNow's transmissions. Section (B) relates to performances intended to be received by the general public in places such as food services or drinking establishments or the performance occurs in an establishment larger than 2,000 gross square feet of space. (Check the copyright code for more details about Section (B)). The AudioNow® system was designed to fall neatly in the exception set forth in Section 110(5). While AudioNow cannot control whether ASCAP approaches any particular radio station using AudioNow, our position is straightforward and we do not expect music royalty payments to be a substantive issue for radio stations or users of the AudioNow® service.
