Internetradio

Internet radio is a form of streaming media that delivers audio broadcasts over the Internet. Listeners access live or on-demand programs from radio stations or independent producers on devices such as computers, smartphones, and smart speakers. Because content travels over public networks, Internet radio can be received anywhere with connectivity and is not limited by terrestrial broadcast range.

The technology emerged in the 1990s with streaming codecs and servers. Early implementations used MP3 or AAC codecs and streaming servers such as Shoutcast and Icecast, enabling simple browser-based players and desktop clients. The spread of broadband and mobile networks in the 2000s led to a rapid expansion of stations, directories, and app-based discovery.

How it works: a station encodes audio and publishes it to a streaming server; listeners connect with a player that decodes the stream. Most formats are MP3 or AAC, delivered over HTTP or other streaming protocols. Metadata such as current track titles is commonly delivered via ICY or ID3 tags.

Content and licensing: music streams generally require rights licenses from collecting societies; many Internet radio stations are noncommercial or affiliated with universities, public broadcasters, or community groups. Platforms include standalone streaming servers (Shoutcast, Icecast), and directories or aggregators like TuneIn that help users find streams on various devices.

Impact and types: Internet radio enables global reach, niche programming, and continuous 24/7 streams alongside on-demand archives. Business models range from advertising-supported streams to subscriptions and listener donations.