Roku advances Internet Radio by miles ...

The enormously popular movie and audio device sold by Roku, previously sold only to stream Netflix movies, has stepped the cause of Internet radio forward in one big kick.

Roku's new software update includes RadioTime, an aggregator for internet radio that sets up categories and presets and lists much like Netflix. The account is free for Roku users to set up at the RadioTime site.

The local radio category, for instance, includes almost every STL stream, including HD channels. And, with a little digging, I discovered Randy Raley's I-net only PlanetRadio.us, which I promptly made a preset. It's in the Rock category, but shows as a Top40-Pop station.

Mrs. A and I spent an enjoyable few hours this evening while I introduced her to Chinese pop music, Klezmer music from Jerusalem, Classical via KWMU/HD3, a Cajun stream from somewhere in the bayous and, of course, a few Classic Country stations. Where else can I get David Allan Coe's "You Don't Have To Call Me Darlin', Darlin"? Not on WIL. Not on The Bull. And, yes, I'd like to hear Coe once in a while.

Roku/RadioTime isn't compatible with all stream players (most notably AOL and IHeartRadio), but it works nicely with many of the streams we found interesting. For those it has grief with I've got a couple other I-Net radios scattered here and there that access different aggregators. And, of course, there are the 30+ music channels that come with my cable package.

Sadly, there are just three times a day when I turn on a broadcast radio here: when the clock radio alarm goes off in the morning (and that's only because neither of the I-Net radios I use have a battery backup); when I go out and leave a talk station on for Tasha; and when I feel the urge to listen to a broadcast talk show in real time. Otherwise all my radio listening is in the car. And if I had 4G-capable gear there, I'd say goodbye to AM and FM altogether.

I do have that CCrane AM/FM/Ham radio for emergencies, along with a CB rig. But who listens to Channel 19 when there's not an issue?

It's a damned shame, but Frank Absher. is absolutely right. And so is Jerry DelColliano. The magic word for broadcast radio's survival is local.

Top drawer local content, delivered by top drawer local talent. Without it, both bands are dead as buggywhips and sunk lower than the Titanic. Without that, both are just mediocre, short-playlisted jukeboxes.

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