{{Multiple issues| {{Independent sources|date=August 2020}} {{Promotional|date=July 2023}} }} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}} {{Infobox radio station | name = Radio Paradise | logo = | logo_size = <!-- optional when used with image parameter, specifies image size --> | city = Eureka, California | country = US | branding = | frequency = | translator = | repeater = | airdate = {{Start date|2000|02}} | format = Adult-oriented rock, pop, electronic, world, classic hits, country, oldies | language = English | erp = | haat = | class = | facility_id = | coordinates = <!-- {{coord|}} --> | affiliations = | operator = | owner = William Goldsmith | licensee = | sister_stations = | webcast = [http://stream.radioparadise.com/aac-320] | website = {{URL|www.RadioParadise.com|RadioParadise.com}} }}
'''Radio Paradise''' is a non-commercial, listener-supported Internet radio station.<ref name=":1" /> The station is based in the United States, has a user base of thousands of simultaneous listeners, and a broad international audience.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paradise |first=Radio |title=See who's listening to Radio Paradise right now |url=https://radioparadise.com/community/map |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=radioparadise.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Streams == Radio Paradise's streams are available in multiple compressed audio formats, as well as lossless FLAC. These streams can be accessed on many kinds of devices and operating systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://radioparadise.com/listen/options|title=Listen – Radio Paradise}}</ref>
The players buffer the stream ahead, which allows users to skip individual tracks. The players provide detailed information on the artist being played, including data from the artist's Wikipedia page, the album cover, lyrics, distribution of user ratings, and a scrolling list of often colorful user comments, sometimes embellished with videos.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paradise |first=Radio |title=Tour of the New Web Player |url=https://radioparadise.com/blog/tour-of-the-new-web-player |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=radioparadise.com |language=en}}</ref>
The website and playout systems use Linux and customized open-source software components for most of its sections, a system devised by Goldsmith initially for KPIG's playout system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://flylib.com/books/en/2.718.1.83/1/|title=Building and Maintaining Community|work=flylib.com|access-date=December 13, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/5725|title=The Promise of Radio Paradise: An Open-Source Challenge to Commercial Radio|work=linuxjournal.com|access-date=December 13, 2014}}</ref>
==History==
The station was started in February 2000 by William Goldsmith and his wife, Rebecca Goldsmith.<ref name=Day_LATimes>{{cite news|last1=Day|first1=Patrick|title=Call it 'MyTaste'|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-dec-24-ca-webscout24-story.html|access-date=November 24, 2014|newspaper=LA Times|date=December 24, 2006}}</ref> William had worked in radio since leaving high school in 1971 and began to experiment with webcasting in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shevett |first=Dave |date=2004-11-27 |title=Interview with William Goldsmith of RadioParadise.com |url=https://planet-geek.com/2004/11/27/geekitude/interview_with_1/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Planet Geek! |language=en-US}}</ref> Radio Paradise was originally operated from the Goldsmith's home in Paradise, California, from which the station derives its name. The station had relocated to the Borrego Valley (east of San Diego, California) in 2016,<ref>{{cite web|title="Radio Paradise" | url=http://www.radioparadise.com|access-date=November 9, 2018}}</ref> before the town of Paradise was largely destroyed by the Camp Fire in November 2018. In 2022, Rebecca retired, and William's daughter, Alanna, assumed Rebecca's role. The station relocated to Eureka, California.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://radioparadise.com/about/rp | title=About RP | access-date = October 14, 2022}}</ref>
Radio Paradise was featured in a ''TIME'' magazine article from April 11, 2004, called "The Revolution in Radio".<ref name=":1"> {{Cite news | first = Daren | last = Fonda | title = The Revolution In Radio | url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,610082-1,00.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110604055251/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,610082-1,00.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = June 4, 2011 | date = April 11, 2004 | access-date = March 11, 2019 | publisher = Time Inc. | quote = He heeds listener feedback and says the only thing he really cares about is 'playing good music' }}</ref>
In April 2006, Radio Paradise introduced the Listeners World Map, showing the numbers and locations of listeners across the world, currently located under Community/Who's Listening.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Who's Listening|url=https://radioparadise.com/community/map|website=Radio Paradise}}</ref>
In June 2006, Radio Paradise began trial runs of Octoshape for its 192 kbit/s MP3 stream. In September 2006, the station began a 128 kbit/s AAC stream. In 2012, RP began a 320 kbp/s AAC stream and is now also offering lossless (FLAC/ALAC) streaming.
===2007 royalty rate increase=== On March 6, 2007, the Copyright Royalty Board increased royalty rates, which would have raised the station's royalty fees tenfold. In subsequent negotiations, royalty rates were established that allowed Radio Paradise and other Internet radio stations to continue their operation.<ref>[http://www.kurthanson.com/archive/news/071307/index.shtml Radio and Internet Newsletter, 13 July, 2007] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070909154926/http://www.kurthanson.com/archive/news/071307/index.shtml |date=September 9, 2007 }}</ref>
==References== <references/>
==External links== * {{Official website|}}
Category:Internet radio stations in the United States Category:Eureka, California