How to start your own internet radio station: the complete step-by-step plan
A radio station of your own used to be something for people with a transmitter mast. Now all you need is a computer, an internet connection and a plan. This step-by-step plan explains everything involved, from the first choices to your first live broadcast.
What do you need?
An internet radio station consists of four parts that work together:
- A streaming server. This is the computer that sends your audio to all your listeners. You can rent one or set one up yourself.
- Music and an AutoDJ. When nobody is live, an AutoDJ automatically plays music from your library. That keeps your station on air 24 hours a day.
- Software to go live. With programs like BUTT or Mixxx you send your own show to the streaming server.
- A website. This is where people listen, see what is playing and find your schedule.
You also need a licence for the music you play. Read more in our article on music rights for web radio.
Step 1: choose your format
Don't start with the technology, start with the question: who are you making radio for? A station with feel-good hits attracts a different audience than a dance station or a local community station. A clear format helps with everything that follows: your station name, the music in your AutoDJ, the DJs you look for and the way you find listeners.
Write down in a few sentences what makes your station unique. For example: "Feel-good music from the 80s and 90s, with a live DJ every evening and plenty of room for requests." You will use that sentence later on your website and social media.
Step 2: arrange a streaming server
You have two options:
- Rent a hosted stream. The provider takes care of the server, updates and bandwidth. You get a panel to upload music and set up your AutoDJ. This is the easiest way to start.
- Set up your own server. With a VPS and free software such as AzuraCast you are in full control. That gives freedom, but you are also responsible for security and maintenance.
Not sure which panel suits you? Read AzuraCast, Icecast, SHOUTcast or Centova Cast: which streaming panel should you choose?
Step 3: choose the sound quality
The bitrate determines how good your stream sounds and how much data it uses. For most stations, MP3 at 128 kbps or AAC at 64 to 96 kbps is a fine choice. In which bitrate and format should you choose we do the maths for you.
Step 4: fill your music library and AutoDJ
Make sure you have a well-filled library with clean tags: artist, title and ideally cover art. That information appears on your website later as "now playing". Create playlists per time of day or per genre and add jingles in between, so listeners always know which station they are listening to.
Step 5: go live
Install a program to go live, enter the details of your streaming server (server, port, mount point and password) and press the button. If all goes well, your live show automatically takes over from the AutoDJ. Which software to choose is explained in going live with BUTT, Mixxx or SAM Broadcaster.
Step 6: build a website
Listeners want to start listening with one click, see what is playing and know when their favourite DJ is live. A good radio site therefore has at least a player, the schedule, an overview of your DJs and a way to send requests. What else belongs on it is described in what makes a good website for your radio station.
Step 7: find your first listeners
Your first listeners usually come from your own circle: friends, family and the followers of your DJs. After that you grow through regular shows, an active chat, cooperation with other stations and a site that is easy to find in Google. We list the best tips in 12 ways to get more listeners.
What does it cost?
Costs vary a lot per station, but these are the items to keep in mind:
| Item | What does it depend on? |
|---|---|
| Streaming server | Number of simultaneous listeners, storage for music, self-hosted or rented |
| Music rights | Number of listeners and any income of your station |
| Website and domain | Build it yourself or use a ready-made solution, your own domain name |
| Software | A lot of software is free (BUTT, Mixxx, AzuraCast); some programs are paid |
Finally
Start small, make sure the basics work well and build from there. A station that is reliably on air every day, with a recognisable format and a few regular shows, grows by itself. Also check our internet radio glossary if you come across a term you don't know.
Frequently asked questions
What does an internet radio station cost per month?
For a small station, budget for a streaming server (often 5 to 20 euros per month), a website and the music rights. How much the rights cost depends on your number of listeners and your income.
Do I need a licence for internet radio?
You do not need a broadcasting licence like for FM. You do need a licence for the music you play, from the collecting societies in your country.
Can I start without my own server?
Yes. You can rent a hosted streaming server. The provider manages the technology and you only need to stream.