Internet radio on the rise

Internet radio is officially cool, and, according to a new report, it's getting cooler.

The 4th Annual Multimedia PC and Internet Audio study, from research firm eBrain Market Research, showed that listeners of Internet radio doubled in the last year, rising to 63 percent of multimedia PC owners, up from 33 percent in 1999.

Although the majority of online radio listeners were male, the growth in the number of female listeners during 1999 was stronger -- 50 percent of female PC owners now listen to online radio.

The survey found a wide range of stations being used, with rock, talk radio, news and classical being the most popular. Surprisingly, only one in 10 respondents cited lack of adverts as the attraction of Internet radio, with 66 percent of listeners saying the main reason for listening online was the ability to get reception throughout the country.

The survey was conducted online in January with 1,375 respondents.

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