For the past few weeks I've been working on creating my own public radio station (it's been a dream of mine since I was a kid). Well now it's up and running but I don't know what to do with it. So I thought I'd see what Lemmy thinks about the concept, before I go all in and start investing in licensing fees, better servers, and more listener capacity.
If you're interested, we'll need curators to add songs to the rotation when no DJ is on air. It's simple and straightforward. Just click "Suggest" on the top right of the website and enter the Artist + Song Title on the form.
We will also need DJs and presenters to volunteer any freetime you're willing to give up and help make this happen. Click "Join" to get started.
All styles and genres are welcome. Hop on the airwaves anytime you want. Take requests, or don't. Mix and scratch, or just play one tune after another. Host a talk show/podcast if it suits you. Up to you. You can either use your own DJ/broadcasting software, otherwise there is a Web DJ interface for those with no software/experience.
https://radiolemmy.com | Temporary URL if the first one isn't working
Click Join to sign up to be DJ/presenter, or Suggest to submit your own song suggestions for regular rotation (no signup required to suggest a tune).
FAQ for potential DJs
Lemmy Community: !radiolemmy@lemm.ee
Discord
EDIT: Thanks for all the song submissions so far! I've added them to the rotation. Feel free to suggest any tunes for removal as well.
EDIT 2: Looks like I'm going to have to upgrade web servers sooner than expected. If you're having issues connecting, try the temporary URL
EDIT 3: Gonna take awhile to go through the applications. I'll take care of as many as I can tonight. Check your inbox (and don't forget the @ in your username when applying. I can't reply if I don't know what instance you're using.)
EDIT 4: All DJ applications have been processed so far. Check your inboxes! Gonna spend the next few hours uploading more of your song suggestions. This takes awhile because I have to manually check every tune to make sure it's suitable for airplay! Upon approval, your tune(s) will play at regular intervals. It may take a few hours for it to play for the first time. BTW, remember to use the "Submit" button. "Request" is for one time requests when a DJ is live. I'm brainstorming ideas on streamlining this so that the tune always goes to the right place.
EDIT 5: Well this blew up bigger than I could have hoped for. Gonna call it a night, but I'll be back tomorrow to upload more of your suggestions!
Also I'm going to dust off the turntables and do a live show tomorrow @ 7-9pm EST (00:00-02:00 GMT, check the schedule on the website). Requests accepted. Catch you on the airwaves then!
How do you intend to actually get people to tune in and listen?
Id be tempted to make a DJ application but I can already play to audiences of up to 5 people on twitch xD
Excellent question. I plan on promoting the station on as many communities as I can get away with. I'm hoping that the concept takes off and spreads throughout the fediverse. But to be honest, I can't guarantee anything. What I can tell you, though, is that there are more than 5 listeners tuning in right now. ;) (EDIT: And we don't even have any live DJs yet!)
Fair enough haha.
I have DJ'd for similar things before and they struggled to get past around 12 listeners for each stream/DJ which is why I was curious what the plan was in regards to this from your end.
I'll shoot you a DJ application when I have time later on today. I don't play the most popular genre but it would help you get some diverse content going :D
Can you put the listener count on the page? I was curious earlier as to how many were listening but couldn't find it
I'm planning on it. Right now we average about 15-20 listeners at any given moment. It's not the most impressive number, no, but it's better than I was expecting for our first two days!
Cool!
Seconded, this would be great.