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πŸš€ ICY 2.0 Protocol Specification

Next-Generation Streaming Metadata

ICY 2.0 is a proposed protocol enhancement for modernizing stream metadata headers across Shoutcast, Icecast, Steamcast, and future hybrid platforms. It builds upon the legacy ICY 1.x headers and introduces a modern, extensible system for tagging streams with meaningful data for discovery, promotion, and compliance.

This specification is being developed by the CasterClub team and is not yet ratified by any industry governing body. We are currently leading this proposal and will submit it to any appropriate organizations or standards groups if needed.

πŸ“‹ View Protocol Headers

πŸ“‘ Legacy ICY Headers

  • icy-name – Station display name
  • icy-genre – Primary genre category
  • icy-url – Homepage or station site
  • icy-pub – 1 = public listing; 0 = private
  • icy-br – Bitrate (in kbps)
  • icy-metaint – Interval between metadata blocks

πŸ†• ICY 2.0 Enhancements

  • ice-meta-hashtag-array – Smart hashtags for discovery
  • icy-meta-emoji – Emoji mood indicators (max 5)
  • icy-auth-token-key – Token-based verification
  • icy-meta-social-* – Social media integration

TagStack can fetch your stream's ICY 2.0 metadata headers in real time and compile them into a text-based output. This output is portable and can be used by automation encoders or standalone streamers that lack built-in title/metadata streaming.

πŸ“» Webcasting Revival 2025

The Future of Internet Radio

Webcasting is making a major comeback. Whether you run Icecast, Steamcast, or Shoutcast, the new CasterClub platform will support all formats with modern directory tooling and public streaming visibility tools.

  • 🎯 Universal format support
  • πŸ” Enhanced discovery tools
  • πŸ“Š Advanced analytics
  • 🌐 Global directory integration

⚑ Development Status

What We're Building

We are working around the clock to bring you new features, including AI-assisted station tagging, custom player embeds, and dynamic podcast/promo rotation features.

  • πŸ€– AI-powered station categorization
  • 🎡 Custom embeddable players
  • πŸŽ™οΈ Automated podcast rotation
  • πŸ“ˆ Real-time performance metrics

πŸŽ™οΈ Podcast Metadata Enhancement

ICY 2.0 Podcast Headers

To support automated podcast syndication, AI-driven episode rotation, and metadata-rich playback across radio encoders, we define specialized ICY 2.0 headers for podcast-compatible streams:

  • icy-meta-podcast-title – Podcast series name
  • icy-meta-podcast-episode – Episode title/number
  • icy-meta-podcast-host – Main host/narrator
  • icy-meta-podcast-network – Network/platform

These headers allow automation encoders or ICY 2.0-aware players to display correct podcast metadata during playback and enable deep linking or search in future directory services.