THE PRESTIGIOUS

RAIN INTERNET RADIO AWARDS

CONTINUE FOR THE 9TH YEAR!


The 2017 winners of the 8th Annual RAIN Internet Radio Awards were announced at RAIN Summit Austin, September 5. Finalists were chosen in each of the award categories by a panel of unaffiliated judges. Webcasters, streaming services, and broadcasters were encouraged to submit their brands for consideration.

The RAIN Awards ceremony is traditionally the final event of the fall RAIN Summit, which is held in collaboration with the RAB/NAB Radio Show. Each winner receives a commemorative plaque.


SUBMISSION CATEGORIES


Best Single Stream Webcaster

This category celebrates the best online only (“pureplay”) webcaster with a single stream of radio content. The landscape for single-stream U.S. webcasters has dramatically changed in 2016, the first year of new royalty rates established by the Copyright Royalty Board. Some small webcasters have ended their stations, but many others remain. RAIN continues to honor the rich musical diversity that independent webcasters add to the listening environment. 

Best Streaming Broadcast Station

For the single broadcast station that has executed the best streaming strategy. Judges may consider ways that the station has extended and enhanced its brand through the use of online streaming. Only broadcast stations that stream online are eligible.

Best Podcast

For the best spoken word on-demand audio series. Submissions only by producer, host, or the owning network. The program must originate online, as opposed to a show created for  broadcast radio and archived online — e.g. Serial is eligible, but This American Life is not. Judges may consider originality, production quality, entertainment value, information value, and presentation.

Best Overall Digital Strategy

For the broadcast station, broadcast group, or online-only webcaster that has implemented the finest overall digital strategy. Judges may consider mobile, streaming, websites, downloads, video and/or other features. “Online only” services, broadcasters, and streaming broadcast stations are eligible.

Best Overall Online Radio Service

For the station/webcaster that provides the best overall online listener experience. Judges may consider programming, technology, popularity of the service, attractiveness of the app (web/mobile), ease of use, operational sustainability, integration of advertising assets (if applicable), and other criteria. Nominated services may be single-channel and multichannel “online only” operations or streaming broadcast stations.

2017 WINNERS:

BEST SINGLE STREAM WEBCASTER:
DKFM Shoegaze Radio

BEST STREAMING BROADCAST STATION:
KSWD 100.3 The Sound

BEST PODCAST:
Radiolab Presents: MORE PERFECT

BEST OVERALL DIGITAL STRATEGY:
NPR

BEST OVERALL ONLINE RADIO SERVICE:
Pandora and Spotify (tie)