Radio to Internet, jockeys have their hands full

Radio jockeys are already a part of folklore with even Bollywood movies being made on the theme. But it is the Internet jockeys who are spinning music right in the web space.

With the Internet getting popular, people no longer depend on television or radio for viewing or listening to their favourite music or songs.

A listener of jazz or pop can get access to music from around the world. The professionals who manage the music shows on the Internet are referred to as Internet jockeys.

Internet jockeys are very much in demand in the US, Canada and Australia. They anchor and organise live music shows on the internet. However, in India, the concept is just picking up, with a very small number of portals showing such programmes.

"However, the future of Internet jockey is very bright. As broadband picks up, the number of portals having live shows by internet jockeys will also swell," says Niyati Shah of Sifymax.com, which has IJs on its portal.

Sifymax has started two web channels Mumbailive and Bangalorelive on which IJs present different shows. Seeing the popularity, we also plan to introduce in Delhi and other metors, says Shah.

"All you need is a broadband connection to view these channels. With wireless connectivity growing by the day, IJ shows are bound to pick up and many new players will enter the scene," she says. 

The Internet DJs are approached through e-mail or on their web site by the viewers and specific request are made for a particular song or a set of songs and music. The IJ virtually become a compere or host of a music programme, while sitting in front of a desktop, says Rehman, an Internet jockey.

"Moreover, time and space are no constraint. My show is available anytime, anywhere," he says.

Those going in for a career as Internet jockey need not be highly qualified in computers but should have sufficient proficiency in music and knowledge about films as most of the shows these days are about Bollywood and music, says Aneesha, another IJ.

Presently, there are no certification or courses for virtual DJs. However those who are trained as a radio or video jockey do have an advantage as they are able to understand the latest music trends and apply suitably in their task.

However, she says, it's not just mindless entertainment, the IJs read out news and host live shows related to politics, sports, etc. "We can communicate with the audience and they can relate because it's not just text."

In India, the concept of Virtual DJ and Internet jockey has yet to pick up among the Web surfers and those utilising their services are less. As a result, this career is limited to few metropolitan cities, she says.

But once the concept picks up, all that would be needed is spinning the right web to be successful in the field.