With easy navigation and visually striking design elements, this timeline is perfect for media professionals seeking inspiration or enthusiasts eager to understand the roots of modern broadcasting. By tracing historical connections between key players in internet media, you'll appreciate how far we've come—and where we're headed next in this dynamic digital age. Embrace this journey with us as we celebrate connections that keep us all entertained!
1 January 2003
Christ the King Radio, founded by Michael Van Lowe in Denver, CO, marked its debut on January 1, 2003. The station utilized Shoutcast to broadcast its programming, establishing itself as a pioneer in the early days of internet radio. This launch set the stage for the growth of digital broadcasting under the banner of Internet Media Providers.
23 September 2005
T.A.T. (The Absolute Truth) Radio was founded by Cleveland Rhodes on September 23, 2005, as part of a college project at ITT Technical Institute. Broadcasting from Memphis, TN, the station utilized Shoutcast and quickly gained popularity among students and faculty. Despite its success, T.A.T. Radio was dissolved on May 29, 2007.
26 June 2007
Day of Silence occurred on June 27, 2007, when internet radio stations across the United States went silent in protest. This coordinated blackout was a response to the proposed royalty rate increases by the U.S. Copyright Royalty Board, which threatened the viability of many online radio stations. The Day of Silence served as a powerful statement from broadcasters, raising awareness about the potential impact on the future of internet radio.
5 August 2016
Resilient Christian Radio Network (RCR Network) launched on August 5, 2016, at 3:45 PM CST with its inaugural program, “Get Your House in Order,” hosted by Bro. Tim Aaron. Despite starting with just two listeners, the launch took place during the high-profile Trump/Clinton election year, marking an early chapter in the network’s journey.
6 March 2017
The Resilient Christian Radio Network (RCR Network) expanded internationally overnight. On this day, 25 countries across Europe, Africa, and Asia tuned in to listen to the Word of God, leading to increased interest in becoming RCR affiliates.
29 July 2017
The sixth entry on the Internet Media Providers' timeline is about the Purposethon event, a collaboration between CTK Radio and the RCR Network. It was a 12-hour nationwide event that brought in over 155,000 domestic listeners. Additionally, RCR Network and CTK Radio did simulcasts within their networks.
9 May 2018
The seventh entry on the Internet Media Providers' timeline is about the creation of virtual radio stations by RCR Network and My Genre Radio Network (My Genre Radio FM). With the help of Michael Van Lowe and through Zeno Media, they established over 100 virtual radio stations within major cities in the United States for each network, allowing for 24/7 broadcasting and local hosting of broadcasts.
15 October 2019
Cleveland Rhodes from C.R.O.S.S. Media Networks (including RCR Network, MGR Network, and God is Powerful Radio, which was dissolved in April 2020) and Michael Van Lowe from CTK Radio Ministries formed a conglomerated partnership to provide media access to those who had not heard of or knew about it. Internet Media Providers operates with over 350 media stations, offering people the opportunity to become broadcasters rather than just live streamers or YouTubers.
9 February 2020
The ninth entry on the Internet Media Providers' timeline is about the development of a streaming device by Michael Van Lowe and Cleveland Rhodes on June 9, 2019. The device was designed to connect to any media throughout the internet, allowing users to view and listen to content and connect to their mobile devices. IMP started pre-orders and produced instructional videos for the device. A supplier from Hong Kong was secured to manufacture 350 streaming boxes. However, on February 9, 2020, the shipment was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
10 September 2020
IMP have to develop a Plan B following the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the streaming device shipment. Plan B involved creating our own video streaming platform, which led to the establishment of three television networks: Christendom Television Network, God, Family & Country Television Network, and The REEL Television Network. To differentiate from platforms like YouTube and Twitch, they aimed to offer 24/7 television through these networks, leading to the creation of Over The Top Universal Media (OTTU Media).
1 January 2021
Internet Media Providers did a soft launch of OTTU Media's three television networks, which faced issues with Facebook's streaming restrictions. Despite the challenges, OTTU Media made a significant impact on New Year's Eve 2020 by partnering with a local DJ from Columbus, OH, to broadcast live music celebrations across all U.S. time zones. The event on January 1, 2021, at 2:45 AM, attracted a viewer count of 654,798, marking a historic moment for the platform.
2021 until TODAY
2021 until NOW!!!
Since the New Year's Eve 2020 event, OTTU Media has evolved into a media center encompassing radio with the new network: America's 1st Grassroots Radio Network, television with Urban Core Television Network and Valuable Television Network, on-demand content with The REEL Television Network, and live broadcasting. OTTU Media has reached over 56 million people globally. Plans include re-launching the streaming boxes under the new name X-Cable around 2025 or 2026, developing a Local Community Media Network, and creating a social media community called OSM (OTTU Social Media). Internet Media Providers, while small, are making a significant impact worldwide.