SHOUTcast is free cross-platform proprietary software for streaming media
over the Internet. The software, developed by Nullsoft, allows digital
audio content, primarily in MP3 or HE-AAC format, to be broadcast to and
from media player software, enabling the creation of Internet radio "stations".
The most common use of SHOUTcast is for creating or listening to Internet audio
broadcasts; however, video streams exist as well. Some traditional radio stations
use SHOUTcast to extend their presence onto the Web.
SHOUTcast Radio is a related website which provides a directory of SHOUTcast
stations. History
Created in 1998, SHOUTcast's streaming protocol uses metadata tags and
responses that all start with ICY, which stands for "I Can Yell." Nullsoft was
purchased by AOL on June 1, 1999. On January 14, 2014, AOL sold Nullsoft
to Belgian online radio aggregator Radionomy; no financial details were
publicly announced. Software
The SHOUTcast software uses a client–server model, with each component
communicating via a network protocol that intermingles audio or video data
with metadata such as song titles and the station name. It uses HTTP as a
transport protocol. Although multicast was planned, it was never developed.
SHOUTcast servers and clients are available for FreeBSD, Linux, Mac OS X,
Microsoft Windows, and Solaris. Client-only versions exist for Android,
BlackBerry OS, iOS, Palm OS and webOS, PlayStation Portable, Windows Mobile,
Symbian S60 and UIQ, Nintendo DS, and Wii.
The output format is supported by multiple clients, including Nullsoft's
own Winamp as well as Amarok, Exaile, foobar2000, iTunes, Songbird, Totem,
XMMS, and Zinf. If the client does not support the SHOUTcast protocol, then the
SHOUTcast server sends the stream without the metadata thus allowing it to
be heard/viewed in clients like Windows Media Player. SHOUTcast servers are
usually linked to by means of playlist files, which are small text files that
contain the URL of the SHOUTcast server. When that URL is visited in a Web
browser which identifies itself as Mozilla-compatible, the server will
return a generated SHOUTcast server info/status page, rather than streaming
audio. Stations
A feature of SHOUTcast servers is the ability to optionally publish server
information, including the current number of listeners, in a directory of
stations that AOL maintains on the SHOUTcast website. Site visitors can
pick a station to listen to and download a playlist file for use in their own
SHOUTcast-capable media player. In September 2008, AOL redesigned the
SHOUTcast website, which had been roughly the same since 2000. In 2010,
SHOUTcast again redesigned it with more of an AOL look. As part of the redesign,
the directory and services were rebranded as "SHOUTcast Radio", rather
than "SHOUTcast Streaming Technology." The redesign included a fully functional
option to view the site and directory with the old layout. At the time
VideoLAN said that AOL's license for use of the SHOUTcast Radio servers would
“[force] us to integrate the spyware and adware based Shoutcast Radio Toolbar
inside your browser.” and thus prevents open source software from using the
SHOUTcast Radio servers. Popularity
SHOUTcast said in 2011 that up to 900,000 concurrent listeners could be
seen on public streams during peak hours. The audience on private streams
is unknown. The maximum and minimum number of listeners fluctuates widely
during a day, with roughly three times as many listeners during peak hours as
at low use times. This would indicate US-centric use of the platform compared
with platforms that have a worldwide audience and do not see such a wide
variation throughout the day. As of May 2014 SHOUTcast Radio included over
50,000 stations. Supported file formats
Version History Sources:
See also Icecast
List of Internet radio stations List of streaming media systems
Nullsoft Streaming Video Edcast
References External links
Official website