GridStream Productions

Hey all! So, I had no idea where to post this (just signed up for the forums, FINALLY after being a listener on TSW for the last several months). But I had this crazy idea that I asked a couple of DJ's about in game (Those that I asked may remember one Spiritthief asking this). Is there any possibility of a Gridstream Radio app for android and iOS devices? Think about it, it's good publicity for it. I'm at work when my store closes, I turn on the GSP app on my phone and let the epicness fill the ears of my coworkers. They then ask me "Hey fella, what app is that? I've never heard that song but it was awesome! I want to hear more of that kind of stuff". I then reply to them "Why my fine friend, this is the Gridstream Productions app. Right now we're listening to (insert favorite DJ here) doing a live show in (AO/TSW). You can download the app and tune in, or if you play one of those games, you can even chat with the DJ's and fellow listeners, and even request a song." To which, they reply excitedly, "I NEED THIS APP IN MY LIFE!!!! WHERE CAN I GET IT AND HOW MUCH IS IT?!?!?!?!" With them ready to bring awesome into their life I tell them that the iOS/Android app is (free/nominal fee, GSP's choice in that matter), and if they want to listen to it on their computer, they can tune in from the website or download the light program to run in the background as they go about their other computery activities. Before you know it, another person has been corrupted by GSP greatness, and of course that person will tell two friends, so on and so forth.

Long story short: GSP app for android/iOS seems like a legit/good idea.

While I love the idea, some of this has been covered in the Tech Support forum. Personally, I'd have no idea how to even begin to create something like that. We're pretty proud of our GridStream Player, but this would require a different set of technical skills. Gridfan and Xtrophic are our two tech experts here, and they'd probably have to be the ones to speak up on this.

timewarrior66 wrote:GSP app for android/iOS seems like a legit/good idea.

Sorry if this answer is a tad political, but there is no way to avoid that.

Great idea yes! Sadly not possible due to legal limitations placed on small Webcasters by the RIAA, ASCAP, SESCAP, BMI, SoundExchange that represent or collect royalties for the big labels. The public and the politicians that represented them failed to stop this many years ago, and the fallout of that still appears til this day. GridStream can not legally make such an app with our current agreements, tuning in must be done in a certain way. (The reason for this is not for technical reasons as royalty tracking occurs regardless of how folks tune in to us, but the legal text specify it so there is no choice to do it otherwise.)

GSP's stream have remain legit for all these years we have broadcast and intend to stay that way. So our deepest apologies that a dedicated app is not possible at this time. The SWSA (Small Webcaster Settlement Act) and the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) and the previously named agencies prevents this. If you are a US citizen you could write to your congressman about this issue, it might or might not help, but is worth a try.

If/when it is possible for us to release/make our own apps with direct tune in then we will probably do that or work with a 2nd party to make that happen, and you can be sure it'll be frontpage news on our site

Awww, super bummed about the legal "red tape" lets just convert GSP to a pirate station /m/,

Its' more like green tape, or rather big money behind it (or desire for control).

Which is a shame as small stations like GSP actually plays a lot of bands and songs and other stuff that the large commercial stations do not.

This brings exposure to more obscure segments of the market, and increases the margins or the long tail of those artists or tracks or productions. Somebody somewhere got too greedy and in panic did things that actually ends up with them loosing much more in the long run. (greed is always short term, investment is long term)