WEBSITE CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS

Today I spent considerable time, with the help of one of the show’s valued listeners, Daniella, to resolve some minor site issues, which mostly related to posts about show uploads and broken links to playlists.

In the coming months I will begin work on replacing the Powerzone website with a faster more easier to use site, that also displays better on any device. It will incorporate a new live stream player which will also include a list of the 5 most recently played songs, and in addition to the existing song title, artist and cover art, album info as well.

I am also working on ensuring live streams don’t stop playing when your device locks, installable web player on your handheld device plus playback using TuneIn and Alexa. There will also be a gradual move away from Mixcloud as the primary streaming platform. This is the result of feedback from the show’s valued listeners who have cited continual connectivity issues, buffering, audio quality issues and compatibility with some internet service providers. The show’s Audio Archive is stored on Mixcloud’s servers as well, but suffers less performance issues and will remain there for the medium term.

Testing has been underway for the past month with a new streaming provider and running costs of moving away from Mixcloud are also being explored, but it already looks as though changing platforms and then having to manage a different licensing structure will be more expensive than the current set up, however the benefits of using less bandwidth, better audio quality and a better user experience with several new features will outweigh the costs.

Powerzone will continue to research, produce and distribute the 1 hour syndicated shows, which can be heard on radio stations around Australia, New Zealand other parts of the world, and will also hopefully build on that so that the show is accessible more easily by more people. Powerzone will also continue to produce one off specials again, plus add additional content such as more Classic Powerzone recordings from the 1990s in addition to continuing to live stream.

I want to thank all of you for your endless support and encouragement and sharing the show with your friends, colleagues and family, and hope, with your help it will reach an even wider audience in the days to come.