SHOUTcast

SHOUTcast is software for streaming audio over the internet, best known for hosting internet radio stations. It consists of a server component, SHOUTcast DNAS (Distributed Network Audio System), and related tools that allow an encoder to broadcast audio to many listeners over HTTP. The system supports common codecs such as MP3 and AAC and provides metadata like now playing information to connected clients through the SHOUTcast/ICY protocol.

Originating with Nullsoft, the creators of Winamp, SHOUTcast was released in 1999 to enable remote broadcasting from Winamp and other encoders. Nullsoft was acquired by AOL later that year. In 2014, SHOUTcast, along with Winamp, was acquired by Radionomy, and the SHOUTcast service continued to operate as part of its internet radio ecosystem.

The SHOUTcast architecture centers on the DNAS server, which accepts audio input from a broadcaster, encodes it if necessary, and streams it to listeners via HTTP. Because it uses standard streaming methods and the ICY/SHOUTcast protocol, many media players—such as Winamp, VLC, iTunes, and browser-based clients—can tune in using playlists like M3U or PLS. The SHOUTcast directory, hosted at shoutcast.com, provides a public listing of stations and genres, enabling listeners to discover and connect to streams.

Impact and usage around the 2000s and beyond solidified SHOUTcast as a de facto standard for online radio distribution, especially among hobbyist and community broadcasters. While the broader streaming landscape has evolved, SHOUTcast remains a recognized technology for hosting scalable internet radio streams and is integrated into various broadcasting workflows and station directories.