05/20/96 RADIO DAYS ON THE INFO HIGHWAY

RADIO DAYS ON THE INFO HIGHWAY

REMEMBER WHEN PUNDITS were predicting the convergence of television and computers and wondering how we would cope with 500 channels of interactive cable? Well, that vision of the future is still the future. In the meantime, however, a different broadcast medium is hitting the I-way--radio. For a year or so, such companies as Seattle-based Progressive Networks Inc. have been making software that allows broadcasters to send audio streams across the Internet for computer owners to download and listen to at their convenience. Now, companies are starting to offer audio entertainment programs designed just for Netizens.
Progressive Networks is working on a service called Timecast, a sort of TV Guide for audio content that lets users preselect news, information, and radio broadcasts they would like to download to their computers. The service is expected to be available by summer.
A more ambitious effort is Netcast, a live-audio entertainment network for the Internet. Launched by New York-based startup Netcast Communications Corp., along with Lucent Technologies Corp., Netcast will feature 12 channels--including music, talk-show, sports, and news programs. The advertising-supported service will be available in the fall on the Internet and commercial online services.
EDITED BY IRA SAGER By Amy Cortese