As with all things, so go once great Titans into the golden times of yesteryear. In that vein, we are retiring our Real Audio live and archived audio streams from kexp.org.
This choice was the result of very low usage by our total audience, as well as to make way for the new MP3 live and archived streams that are replacing it. Additionally, the hardware we use to create and stream Real Audio is out of warranty, and as we are moving to multiple MP3 streams, it made little sense to replace it.
Let us know your thoughts as we move on to greater and better things, and stay tuned for new developments with our live and archived streams.
27 Comments
What? I live near “High Point” between Lynnwood and Everett and Realplayer is/has been the only way to hear KEXP up here. I even bought the RealPlayer Premium player to improve my “reception”. The other players have not worked as well, though you seemed to have a “skip” on your Sunday broadcasts.
When was this decided to retire the Real feed? Is it possible the low traffic was because of this skip? It certainly was beautiful to listen to on Saturday when I hear Mind Over Matters.
I am speechless. I listen to multiple KEXP archived shows throughout the week. I hope they come back. I love KEXP. You bring much joy to my life.
Just looking at Teenage Fanclub from 2005, has 5 tracks listed under “Windows Media Streams” but only opens in Real Player at 96kbps. Is there an issue here or is this as it should be?
Cheers
John
The RealAudio format was necessary for my current Linux-based setup when i wanted to hear something from the Streaming Archive. MP3 format works great for the live broadcast. But for Streaming Archives, Silverlight isn’t available in Linux yet, and the Windows Media format doesn’t work correctly (always plays audioasis instead of say Sonic Reducer).
--j
i have no other way to listen to kexp at work. this is terrible news.
Yes, like the above listeners, I am sad to hear this as Real Player was the only way I could get KEXP.
Please reconsider!
Real Player was the best format for me as well :( Sad news!!!
I only usually listen to KEXP on archives. I downloaded Silverlight and it is NOT an improvement. Every 20 seconds or so, the stream stops. Realplayer was dependable. Not all your listeners have 20 mbps internet service.
It’s not that I loved Real or anything but I definitely resent that the other 2 links require Windows Media Player. Who the hell has a PC anymore? Why are you punishing Mac users like this??????? Please don’t make me install that fugly program to listen to your archived shows. It makes no sense to stream everything live through iTunes but then require all archived shows to be played exclusively through WMP. Please give Mac users an option.
As a mac user, I’m not sure what my option is? Bummed.
Hi, Fitz. Both mp3 and Windows Media can be stream just fine on Macs with the VLC Player. You can find out more here: http://kexp.org/ondemand.asp
Hello, Angela. You can stream both mp3 streams with iTunes natively on Macs. And we’re most certainly wouldn’t dream of punishing Mac users! I’m a Mac user myself, but we have listeners that use all platforms, Windows, Mac, Linux, et cetera. Our new archive, http://kexp.org/archive doesn’t require a player on any platform. Give that a try and let us know. Thanks!
Hi Tom. I hear you. Our new archive, http://kexp.org/archive has three quality options so you should be able to find a speed that works for you. Give it a try and let us know!
Hi, JR. What type of computer do you have? Check out our streaming page at http://kexp.org/ondemand.asp as well as the links above. We have something that will work for you!
Hi, Chuck. Real really was seeing extremely low usage, and believe us we put a lot of thought into it!
Hi Rex. Give our beta streaming archive a try here: http://kexp.org/archive It’s HTML5 based, and should work for you on Linux. Let us know if you have any troubles!
You’ll still be able to listen to all of our archived live performances Katerina, don’t worry! All the Windows Media archived performances can be accessed on nearly any platform using the free, open source VLC Player. You can find more information here: http://kexp.org/ondemand.asp Let us know if you have any problems.
Hi, John. They play fine for me using Windows Media Player on Windows and the VLC Player on Mac, both using Firefox. Give either of those a try and let us know.
Hi,
I’m glad you are evolving to a better and better station. I love listening to KEXP, though I have been living in the Bay Area for the last 2.5 years. Especially the Positive Vibrations show.
I’ve been using ‘Real’ to stream the music. What method do you recommend for listening to the show through the computer? Also, what is the best way to stream it on my iphone?
Thank you so much for your help,
Dana B
ps, maybe it would be good to add the suggestion to the link you have on the home page. the one that says ‘where is Real?’ It was super informative, i was just left wondering what to do next? Thanks, and I apologize for my ignorance
RealPlayer jumped the shark years ago and should be long dead by now. And yet, it somehow continues to exist. I’m pleased to see KEXP is taking a firm step in the right direction—away from RealNetworks.
Im veru disapoint kexp. Non of your live streeming plays on my andriod, and the link you supplied for andriod users is not compatable with my phone. I dont get your radio signal anymore and my phone is the only way I can listen “live” to your amazing programs.
Please help,
Steven
Are there any plans to upgrade the sound quality of the archived Windows Media streams? For archived stuff more recent than 2008, the Real Audio files used to be at 192Kbps. The highest sound quality for Windows Media streams seems to be 128Kbps (with the exception of stuff posted since March 2013). The 128Kbps Windows Media streams don’t sound nearly as good. Any chance that the “greater and better things” that you mention in the original post include replacing the 128Kbps files with higher bit rate files? Please let me know.
Thanks for your help!
I hate to say this but if you don’t replace the system soon and with something I can use at work you will lose my annual donation. I don’t live in Seattle (don’t even live in WA) so this was the only way I can enjoy the station. I hope it all works out.
I just tried to listen to the Roadhouse on the 2 other audio formats offered and bothe were “not available” - hope this is temporary....
All I remember about Real Player is the annoying pop-ups and advertisements. People complaining will soon find that there are other ways to listen. Tune-In app on Android has KEXP
Real Audio was the scourge of my early internet years over one decade ago, where many sites only used this format for streaming. I ever wondered why it survived up until now despite its closed format and gruesome proprietary player.
Good decision to dump it. Please consider adding the ogg vorbis format instead.