Internet radio does not require a receiver for listening.
Internet radio, or web radio, is a type of audio stream by which listeners can hear radio stations online. Building your own Internet radio station allows you to transmit content of your choosing to anyone willing to listen. Some websites allow users to set up their own radio stations online, while software is also available to broadcast content directly from your computer. Building your own Internet radio station should take around 30 minutes.
Instructions
1. Sign up for a Live365 account (see Resources). Limited free trials are available, but for broadcasters a subscription fee is required to access Live365's features. The amount depends on the amount of web storage and listener capacity you would like. Live365 lets you broadcast any music and speech of your choosing and pays royalties from your subscription fee to record companies. You do not need a continuous Internet connection to broadcast with Live365; you can upload and schedule content prior to broadcast. Live365 Pro subscribers can access a greater range of features including live broadcast, direct linking to a station from a website and control over advertising associated with the radio station.
2. Sign up for a free SHOUTcast account from their website (see Resources). SHOUTcast is a slightly more complex alternative to Live365 because it requires you to run, or have access to, your own Web server. Users download the SHOUTcast Winamp software and follow instructions to begin broadcasting over the SHOUTcast website. The process is quite complex for beginners and requires you to address your own royalty payments should your radio station broadcast music.
3. Download streaming software and broadcast directly from your computer. A quick web search will produce different types of free streaming software. This is a quick way to set up your own station, but it requires a constant Internet connection and additional equipment like microphones, cables and mixers to broadcast live. Before broadcasting music you will have to consider royalty payments.
