NETFM's OFFICIAL HISTORY

Welcome to the Official NetFM History Page. 

The historical information here, was compiled from verifiable documents maintained by the NetFM Historian.

As the source documents number in their thousands, including photographs, audio files, schematic diagrams, journals, emails, corporate records, and other material, we have carefully selected the most relevant and historically significant material for this page.

NOTE: If you are a researcher and would like access to ALL material, arrangements can be made for full access by contacting us.

THE BEGINNING

NetFM is the world’s first internet radio station, as well as Australia’s first internet radio station, from which it is based.  It can be found online at netfm.net, having been established on 13 November, 1998 by co-founders Scott Truman & Nicholas Baltinos.

Despite having its origins in Australia, NetFM is incorporated in Delaware, USA under the company name “NetFM Inc.”

NetFM owns the “NetFM” trademark.

NetFM’s recognition as Australia’s first internet radio station, is verified by the National Film & Sound Archives of Australia.

A TRUE INTERNET RADIO STATION

As a true internet-only radio station, compared to hybrid FM stations in the mid 1990’s, who simply simulcast their terrestrial broadcast signal over the Internet, NetFM instead, lead the development of true "Internet radio",  both in Australia and the rest of the world, through its unique approach to music programming, show development, audio & streaming development via its proprietary technology as well as groundbreaking  studio design.

It chose the Classic Rock, Hard Rock & Soft Rock formats, and made a point to regularly upgrade its studios and the underling technologies of the day, to the very latest at that time. This often meant a complete rebuild or redesign of the studios and other facilities and infrastructure.  NetFM believed in investing in the business to guarantee they were ahead of the game, and still obeys that philosophy today.

As the first fully fledged internet radio music station, in comparison to the experimenters and hobbyists of the early 1990s, who regrettably are no longer broadcasting, NetFM went beyond experimentation with streaming technology, and on 13 November, 1998, went LIVE on air with a fully equipped purpose built internet-only radio station, making it the first proper internet radio station in the world.

THE VINYL LOUNGE SHOW

As the first and oldest internet radio station in the world, NetFM also produces the longest running internet radio show, The Vinyl Lounge, which continues to this day with its original hosts, Scotto, Bazza & The Fish. With their unique brand of comedy and music programming, the hosts have established themselves as arguably the most influential social commentators of their era, entreating one of the largest radio audiences on internet radio, and distinguishing themselves from the cookie-cutter style of traditional terrestrial radio stations.

The Vinyl Lounge’s phenomenal popularity stems from the unique comedic style of the show with quirky segments, surprise studio guests, and stunts like Scotto broadcasting the 3 hour show from trains in Europe, planes over the Pacific and ships in the Atlantic, not to mention numerous other locations such as Olympic host cities, F1 race tracks, live concerts, festivals, the Pyramids, the Eiffel Tower, India and much more.

INNOVATION

FIRST PODCAST

The Vinyl Lounge, was also credited for the invention of the first “Podcast”, when on 13 November, 1998 , NetFM uploaded to the NetFM website, for the very first time, the first and all subsequent episodes of the Vinyl Lounge, which could be downloaded by listeners and replayed at a convenient time.

Even though the term “podcast” was not used, the idea of downloading digital audio content for future playback, was widely used by NetFM from 13 November, 1998.

In addition to The Vinyl Lounge, NetFM produces numerous LIVE shows such as Tough Rock Saturday, The Safe Space, Funken Friday, The Comedy Club & Smooth Rock Saturday. All shows are also available on-demand, and in the case of The Vinyl Lounge, continue to have an impressive collection of hundred of podcast, available via the NetFM website as well as through the NetFM app and numerous hosts & aggregators

FIRST ADVERTISEMENT

In 1999, only one year after its inception, NetFM was selected by McCann Ericsson, Coca-Cola’s advertising agency, to broadcast on internet radio for the very first time, a Coca-Cola radio commercial. This opened the doors to a new advertising medium, solely invented by NetFM, and now generating billions of dollars today for the online radio industry and the streaming services platforms such as NetFlix & Spotify.

FIRST LIVE WEBCAM

Also in 1999 - NetFM launched a new and innovative website incorporating a “LIVE Webcam” view of the main broadcast studio. This added  a new and exciting dimension to internet radio never seen before, and ushered in what we take for granted today, notably LIVE video broadcasting through platforms like Google, YouTube & Meta.

FIRST MOBILE STREAMING

In February 2000, NetFM deployed the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), to stream for the first time its radio content to mobile phones, PDA’s and other devices supporting the WAP protocol. This was a breakthrough moment in streaming history, allowing users to enjoy NetFM away from their PCs.  Notably, this was 7 years before smartphones, like the iPhone popularised mobile streaming, which NetFM immediately embraced as WAP technology lessened in popularity.

In June 2000, the newly constructed NetFM studio, was depicted for the first time via the webcam, with its now famous “orange on black” broadcast desk, which later became NetFM’s signature color scheme.

FIRST APP

On 22 July, 2008, NetFM launches "NetFM Messenger", with software developer  - InterTalk.  The revolutionary app, incorporated LIVE streaming, messaging via proprietary message service, as well as MSN integration. This predated the APPS revolution such as Apple’s App Store, and is yet another example of NetFM’s forward-thinking approach to groundbreaking innovation.

PORT 80 STREAMING

In October, 2001, NetFM chose to stream through TCP port 80, because some networks,  such as large corporate networks, blocked the traditional streaming ports.  Using port 80 ensured listeners could happily listen to NetFM at work because port 80 was primarily designated for web traffic, and the networks and ISPs weren’t going to block.

ENDORSEMENTS

On 29 September, 2023, Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, declared, following his interview on NetFM, that “NetFM is his favourite rock station”. He further stated that “the NetFM App was amongst his favorite apps

And speaking of the NetFM App, there’s no app like it!  With high fidelity streaming, LIVE song & artist information, streaming video NEWS, Classic TV shows, archived LIVE rock concerts, classic cartoons, documentaries, free movies and much more. It’s not just a radio station app, it’s a fully featured media hub.

WHY NETFM IS WIDELY REGARDED AS THE FIRST INTERNET RADIO STATION

Relevantly, NetFM holds the “NetFM” trademark, and prides itself in providing its global music and on-demand service, absolutely free of charge, with no subscriptions, signups or tricky memberships or usage plans.

Regrettably, NetFM’s success has attracted unauthorised use of the “NetFM” trademark by a small number of newly branded radio stations, primarily terrestrial stations.

With impressive music variety and minimal advertisements, NetFM distinguishes itself from other stations by truly giving the listener what they want - Great sound, music variety, low level advertising interruptions, a groundbreaking app and trailblazing shows, both LIVE and on-demand.

And lastly, there’s the superior and legendary NetFM sound. No other station comes close to replicating the “NetFM Sound”. It’s awesome. And as the NetFM slogan goes “Classic Rock Just Sounds Better on NetFM.

PREVIOUS CLAIMS BY OTHERS AS THE FIRST INTERNET RADIO STATION

1. Carl Malamud's "Internet Talk Radio" (1993) - Not Radio

Often mis-credited, this was not a radio broadcast. It was a series of downloadable audio interviews, not streamed, not scheduled, and not continuous.

The use of the word "radio" in the name Internet Talk Radio, does not make it a broadcast or confer any distinction from other similar file sharing entities.

There are no public archives or technical evidence to support its structure or audience reach.

CONCLUSION: An early digital audio project, not internet radio.

2. WXYC, University of North Carolina (1994) - Experimental Simulcast, Not a Station

WXYC did broadcast over the internet starting in November 1994, using CU-SeeMe, a rudimentary video conferencing tool. However:

- It was not a 24/7 operation

- Operated sporadically, depending on university schedules

- CU-SeeMe was designed for small group sharing, not mass distribution

- No public archives or listener data exist from the time.

CONCLUSION: A notable academic test, not a functioning radio station.

3. NetFM (Australia) - The World's First True Internet Radio Station (1998)

Established in October 1998, NetFM was built from the ground up as a 24/7 internet-only radio station.

It fulfilled every criterion of true radio broadcasting:

- Scheduled, continuous live programming

- Licensed music and original shows, including The Vinyl Lounge

- Professional DJs and hosts

- High-fidelity proprietary streaming tech

- Publicly accessible worldwide

- Real-time listener interaction via chatrooms and requests

In 1999, NetFM became the first internet radio station to air a Coca-Cola commercial, validating its status as a serious media platform.

CONCLUSION: NetFM is the world's first true internet radio station.

Final Conclusion Who Invented Internet Radio? (Clarified and Corrected)

Claims that Carl Malamud or WXYC invented internet radio are based on weak or non-existent evidence, and often confuse experiments or terminology with actual broadcasting.

The first real internet radio stations were:

- Professionally run

- 24/7

- Built to serve an audience

- Documented, licensed, and publicly accessible

By this measure, NetFM is recognised as the first legitimate internet radio station in the world.