'Radio studio in my room' and other DIY media

MULTIMEDIA: One half of Linux Outlaws talks about broadcasting live from his home studio.

READ: One-time consumers of media turn into producers of content with DIY media.

With little more than an idea, a net connection and basic technical literacy, normal media users are making and distributing Internet radio and video shows in their homes.

Working with the idea that if you don’t like something, change it, one-time consumers are today’s media producers.

“My studio is just a spare room at home,” says Dan Lynch, Liverpool based Internet broadcaster. Dan produces two live shows, one of which recently celebrated a run of 100 episodes and tops the list of recommended podcasts on a popular podcast aggregator.

He says he began his show because he thought there was a gap in the traditional media spectrum which he wanted to fill. Broadcasters like him are reaching an interested and niche audience around the world.

Most often, these ‘podcasts’ are free, and are freely available without geographical restrictions. While the artists get a wider audience, the viewers or the listeners gain access to material that they probably would not have had access to with just conventional media.

The DIY media also lends itself to closer interaction between artists and audiences. Dan’s shows for example, have the listeners chatting online with the ‘studio’ and with each other, or connecting through social media.

Some even go on to start their own shows. "The more the merrier really," says Dan.

Several live channels and recorded shows can boast of over a million 'subscribed' followers and an additional number of viewers. They may be recorded at home, but many still boast of professional standards of production.

The potential of shows started by users has been acknowledged by traditional media. Shows are now big enough to command significant advertising revenue, while others have been commissioned by media houses.

Kenny Crane, founder of the website YouTubeStars explains, “Luck, a certain charm, enthusiasm and talent. That’s what determines success online.”

Next: Who really are these Internet stars who are changing our culture of communication?