Getting your radio station listed on iTunes is an excellent way to broaden your audience, but the process is intricate and adherence to specific guidelines is crucial. iTunes is particularly strict about grammar and has laid out detailed instructions to ensure a seamless submission. To avoid delays or potential problems, follow the instructions below meticulously.
Submission Guidelines for iTunes:
Bitrate and Streaming Formats:
- Streams must broadcast at a bitrate of 128k or higher, except for spoken word content (News/Talk, Sports/Radio, and non-music Comedy) where AAC/AAC+ streams at 64k and higher are acceptable.
- iTunes supports streaming formats .m3u, .mp3, and .pls. IP addresses with these format streams are also acceptable. Avoid submitting streams in .asx, .wma, .qtl, and other incompatible formats.
Station Information:
- Stations can list only one bitrate and one genre.
- Avoid using names other than your own to manipulate directory placement.
- Station submissions must include cover art – a 3000 by 3000 pixel JPG or PNG image using RGB colorspace at 72 DPI. Attach cover art to your submission form.
- Station names, descriptions, and URLs may be edited to conform to editorial and technical standards.
Submission Process:
1. Subject Line for Emails:
- Station Submission: (station name)
- Station Update: (station name, as it appears in iTunes)
- Other Inquiry: briefly state the issue
2. Submission Format:
- Utilize the provided excel spreadsheet available for download at iTunes Radio Submission.
- Fill in all mandatory fields, ensuring accurate and detailed information.
3. Submit Your Station:
- Visit iTunes Support.
- Scroll down to "Submit a Request" and choose "Submit My Station" from the drop-down.
- Complete the form and attach the excel file containing necessary station information and logos.
4. Review and Update Requests:
- All emails must come from the contact listed for the station or a station owner.
- Station updates must include the specific modification needed.
- Use precise metadata; any typos will result in automatic rejection.
5. Check Stream Compatibility:
- Ensure your station stream works in iTunes by opening iTunes, selecting 'Open Stream' from the 'File' menu, and entering your audio stream URL.
- Only .m3u, .mp3, and .pls formats are compatible.
Additional Notes:
- Allow up to 5 business days for your station to be added before inquiring about its status.
- Doscast does not guarantee your stream will be listed; this guide serves as a starting point.
- For further assistance, contact our Support Team at [email protected] or through the Ticket Submission form.
- For Live365 stations, submit requests by emailing [email protected]. For Radionomy stations, use [email protected].
Remember, adherence to these guidelines and attention to detail are essential for a successful submission to iTunes. This guide aims to assist you in navigating the intricate process and increasing your chances of getting listed on this widely-used platform.
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