Internet radio is simply a digital radio service transmitted over the Internet using a CD player or other media player. Internet radio is generally known as webcasting because it's not transmitted widely over traditional radio networks like radio stations. Instead, it is transmitted directly to your computer and headphones so you can listen in the comfort of your own home. The first radio online programs were made public in 1997 with the launch of the first live Internet radio station, Karaoke Satellite.
Over the years radio online has expanded with many more channels, much more than its early days when it used to provide only a handful of music channels and a few talk radio stations. Nowadays there are hundreds of radio stations available online that broadcast live audio to almost any location, often in HD. Many people listen online to music, sports, news, spiritual talks, and more. Even children have been known to listen to radio online from their laptops.
Internet radio can be downloaded and run on computers as simple software programs. The software can be played straight from the computer speakers or it can be played through an internet browser as a web radio station. If you're looking for radio online you can find it pretty easily by searching in any search engine for radio online. You can choose from many different types of online radio stations to fit your preferences.
With an Internet radio online you can listen as you would with a conventional radio station. You can tune into a radio station, or even request playlists and songs and have them play directly to you. Some radio online services also offer background audio streaming which can be useful if you don't want the direct sound of the radio station. The online radio station streams live audio from websites and broadcasting services like the Internet radio aggregator syndication sites. Background audio streaming can be useful if you like to listen to music that is not particular to a musical category.
Many times internet radio stations offer free downloads of their audio books. These are popular as they are often more interesting to listen to than regular radio stations. There is often discussion of current events in the forums of these radio stations. This type of interaction with listeners creates a community atmosphere that is missing from regular broadcast radio stations.
An Internet radio station may cost less to operate per hour than the same amount of money per minute to operate on terrestrial radio. The audio quality on an Internet radio is better than on a conventional AM and FM radio stations. Internet radio technology has improved the ability to listen to radio online at home and in cars. You no longer need a bulky transistor radio to enjoy the entertainment of online radio stations. Internet radio technology continues to grow in popularity and it shows no sign of stopping.
