iTunes question...

[fajrdrako]

I'm just starting, just learning, to use iTunes.

I see it has a list of radio connections, listed by genre. "Showtunes" is my favourite genre, closely followed by "Soundtracks". But those things aren't in the list. I don't see a search function. How do I do an iTunes search for radio stations playing showtunes?

Comments

[mommimus-prime.livejournal.com]

I don't think there's a way to specifically search iTunes Radio. I found a Soundtrack station under the Eclectic category called A Fistful of Soundtracks. I guess your best bet is to just go through the various categories manually. I couldn't even find an answer at the Apple website.

There are also two Broadway musical stations available, that I've found.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I guess they don't have it set up to search - that's too bad! thanks for the hint, I'll go look under "Eclectic".

[mommimus-prime.livejournal.com]

I never use iTunes radio because once you've listened to a particular station for a while (If it's not an actual radio station) it tends to repeat itself.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

How boring!

[katkim.livejournal.com]

I don't think you can search for a specific radio station on itunes. It might be easier to use google and then create your own personal radio playlist. Just click the link to the station e.g. theatreradio etc) and save the .pls file. The stream should appear in your itunes library, and you can just drag and drop it into the right place...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thanks - this is exactly the kind of advice I need! I googled, found http://www.accuradio.com/broadway/, and I'm in heaven.

But... what's a .pls file and how do I find it and save it?

[katkim.livejournal.com]

.pls is a file format that lets you store playlists (a radio stream is classified as a playlist - go figure!) Here's the link to all the .pls files provided by accuradio. Broadway is 7th on the list.

http://www.accuradio.com/mobile/

When you click on the link, depending on your settings either of the following with happen:

- iTunes will start playing the station automatically - in that, iTunes saves the .pls file without you having to do anything and you can start listening through iTunes right away

- The first senario doesn't happen, so you'll have to save the .pls file manually. To do this - click on the link and it should give you an option to 'open' or 'save' the .pls file. Save the .pls file to your computer. Again, depending on your settings, it will either play in itunes automatically once it's downloaded, or you may have to find the file in your hard-drive and drag it into the media player. Is should start playing, either way.

Once it's in iTunes, it should stay in itunes, and you should be able to use it to listen. I'd then create a smart-playlist, so you can find the station easily and you add other favourite stations when you find them :)

Hope this helps! (edited to make it clearer and delete some typos!)