Abacast, a provider of digital radio streaming and monetization software and services, has announced it has created song skipping technology for live radio streams. The company claims this is a feature "that radio audiences have desired since the dawn of radio." Abacast's patent pending song-skipping technology, code-named 'Hammer,' enables listeners to skip songs that they don't want to hear when listening to live radio stations online. Federated Media has already signed on for the technology.

"If someone wants to skip a song when listening to live radio, up until now they would simply switch to a different station," said Jim Kott, Abcast SVP of Products and Marketing. "Abacast's live stream song skipping technology lengthens listening times and should grow audiences on stations that utilize it. Abacast plans to release detailed metrics regarding average listening time and audience growth shortly after the skip feature is released in Q2 2013."

Live stream song skipping works on top of Abacast's patent pending Cloud Insertion and Personalized Live Radio technologies. When a listener chooses to skip a song that is currently being played, another song from the station's playlist will be played immediately and in its entirety for that listener. Hammer's individualized buffering and insertion functionality ensures that the rest of the stream, including songs, DJ's, and commercials, is played seamlessly and in its entirety as well. Unique advertising opportunities will be available due to the listener being engaged with the player when choosing to skip songs.

"We are excited to participate in the beta release of live stream song skipping," said James Derby, Chief Strategy Officer at Federated Media. "With consumers having more choices than ever today, we feel that song skipping will differentiate us from our competitors and more importantly provide our customers and clients a better listening experience."