Looking for Radio Automation Software I am currently planning to run a podcast or a radio show as you prefer, where I intend to broadcast some Skype talking and play some music, live through Mixlr. I've been looking for some software that can help me to do this. Something where I can create a playlist that I can set up easily, control mic, have some embedded notes, etc.

I am especially looking for free software, but if I get myself into something that fits my needs, then I am willing to spend a few bucks.

I ran into a couple paid solutions: 

ProppFrexx OnAir, which seems the most complete solution, with tons of options, most of them not really understood by me... Looks very recent, and the free version lets you play for 3 hours, with a random 2kHZ sound playing occasionally.

SAM Broadcaster, which seems to be used by most of the people. Looks like a very simple solution (the free version, at least)

There are other free options, but most of them do not work rather well or are hard to understand and get used to. 

My question is then, if there are good free solutions that fit my needs (for Windows and/or eventually Ubuntu) and which. Or paid ones, that are quite simple and easy to manage. Out of curiosity, I would also ask if you know which software big radio stations use.

Thank you.
Not sure about Windows, but for Ubuntu, you could always check out Rivendell.
http://www.rivendellaudio.org/