Someone is giving my radio stations free bandwidth

Because sales and web site hits are up 40%, I've restricted access to our shoutcast radio stations (which are also available in itunes) and the past few days the stations have been maxed out for listeners (my server maxes out at 150 listeners on the classical channel).

Then, yesterday, the number of max listeners we're capable of went magically up, then today it went up again. I investigated, by getting the shoutcast playlist file:

root# curl "http://www.shoutcast.com/sbin/shoutcast-playlist.pls?rn=1185&file=filename.pls"
[playlist]
numberofentries=3
File1=http://218.189.210.17:4800
Title1=(#1 - 174/500) MAGNATUNE.COM Classical: renaissance and baroque (try before you buy)
Length1=-1
File2=http://210.245.206.192:4800
Title2=(#2 - 77/100) MAGNATUNE.COM Classical: renaissance and baroque (try before you buy)
Length2=-1
File3=http://64.62.148.12:8000
Title3=(#3 - 149/150) MAGNATUNE.COM Classical: renaissance and baroque (try before you buy)
Length3=-1
Version=2

and see that there are 3 servers providing Magnatune radio station bandwidth. Only the last one (#3) is actually me.

I used Sam Spade, an incredibly useful anti-spam digging tool, and found that the two servers are from two different Hong Kong companies, namely Hutchinson Global Communications and HK-Top Internet Company.

What they're doing is relaying the Magnatune classical feed, and the shoutcast software automatically then picks them up as available listener slots. I tapped in, and indeed the slots are available to the general public, not just Hong Kong residents.

I'd love to know what the intent is... bandwidth costs money, but maybe this is their way of providing music to their customers. At any rate, I have no problem with it at all, and in fact think it's fabulous -- Magnatune radio listeners without cost!

Anyone with theories, I'd love to hear from you...

Comments

[Eric Parsons]

I wouldn't be surprised if it was someone at home doing this. The companies you listed sound like ISPs and the internet providers in Hong Kong have been releasing high bandwidth pipes for relatively cheap. Could be a satisfied music listener willing to help.