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David's Career
Capsule
My career has covered just about everything. I was a radio man in
the Navy aboard the USS Bainbridge. I have been in sales most of my
life, My big break came when the internet was in its infancy in the
90s. I worked my way up as an executive at Cable and Wireless who at
that time was just scratching the surface of using the internet for
networking. Then in '99 we started ChristianNetcast. Along the way I
have traveled with ministries and did some evangelistic work of my
own. One of the things I have enjoyed is doing play by play for high
school sports on the radio.
1. How has ChristianNetcast evolved over the last few years?
We started in
the back of my business partners (Todd VanTasel) computer shop. We
then opened an office in Bangor Maine close to where we lived at the
time. Then we were targeting churches to broadcast their services on
line. At the point most churches did not get it so we start
targeting Christian Radio stations and BANG we took off.
ChristianNetcast was the first streaming company to have a niche
market in the Christian sector. As technology has changed so have
we. We now do video, live events, graduations, weddings and just
about any other event you could imagine. Now we are changing again
with the evolution of mobile technology.
2. How was ChristianNetcast conceived?
One Sunday in
Maine there was a snow storm that prevented people from coming out
to the service we started talking about how if we put the service on
line then people could attend from home. Taken from the verse that
states "cast your nets" we formed ChristianNetcast, Casting the Net
for Christ.
3. What does ChristianNetcast do to assist stations with their
on-line streaming?
We spend a great
deal of time researching the latest technology to ensure our
customers are on the cutting edge. We provide the stations with the
software and network services to broadcast globally via the
internet.
4. What criteria do you require for a station to use
ChristianNetcast?
We make it very
simple for a station to stream with us, no expensive software or
hardware to buy just a pc and an internet connection and we can have
you up and streaming!!
5. What do you see in the future for online radio listening?
Online listening
will evolve into everywhere listening. With smart phones people can
now listen anywhere. The future of radio listening will be in your
hand.
6. What is the one single reason why a Christian radio station needs
to stream online?
IMPACT, if a
station is not online streaming then they are depending solely on
the transmitter to reach an audience. with streaming you go for
local to global.
7. In your opinion what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian
radio today?
Wow, there are
several. I would have to say that if the current administration
pushes through the proposed fairness doctrine and gives the FCC
regulatory authority over the internet it could very well change
Christian broadcasting as we know it today.
8. What do you believe is the primary role of the Christian radio
air personality?
To not only
entertain but touch and change lives. You can tune into any station
that will have on air personality that will entertain, but Christian
radio is called to do so much more.
9. What (if any) Christian radio stations do you consider as
innovators today?
KXOJ in Tulsa is
a station that is always striving to stay up what is the
latest in streaming and what they can do to stay ahead. Also WMIT in
NC and Bott Radio Network does a great job in targeting their on
line audience.
10. Where do you see Christian radio in 5 years?
There is a real
shaking out taking place right now in Christian radio. Over the next
five years you will see less of buying up of stations like we saw
over the last few years and a shift back to locally owned stations
expanding using technology like streaming.
10.
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