Live 365 is a web site that provides access to music broadcast via the Internet from over 6,000 stations. One of its distinguishing features is its two tier access. There is a free service with access to fewer stations and lower audio quality. This access is funded by advertisements both on the web site and as part of the audio streams. As a non-US citizen, the advertisements recruiting to the US security services seemed particularly inappropriate. On the other hand, for listeners of a certain age, the commercials give the audio feeds a delightfully “retro” feel reminiscent of commercial radio stations broadcast by more traditional means since the 1960s.
The chargeable VIP service offers a range of advantages:
- This service contains no advertisements either on the web site or as part of their audio streams.
- A significant number of stations are restricted to paying users.
- Allegedly higher quality sound through the use of the MP3Pro codec.
- Direct playback on your desktop using the Live 365 desktop application software.
- Access via your iPhone, Blackberry or Windows Mobile smart phone.
A proportion of the subscription fee is returned to the artists as a royalty.
