Radio en Línea ·
What you need for an internet radio station
An online radio station runs on four pieces, and you do not need professional equipment to get started:
- A streaming server (Shoutcast or Icecast) that receives your audio and delivers it to every listener.
- An AutoDJ that plays your music and playlists when nobody is live.
- Live broadcasting software, if you will have hosts or DJs: BUTT, Mixxx, SAM Broadcaster, RadioBOSS or Web DJ in the browser.
- A listening link: your station's public page, a player on your website or the direct stream URL for apps.
On top of that come the licences for the music you play, which depend on the country and the use.
Step 1: decide your station's format
First decide how it will sound: music only with AutoDJ around the clock, live shows at fixed times or a mix of both. Most new stations start with AutoDJ and add shows once they have hosts. Think about your audience too: which countries they listen from, at what times and on which devices.
Step 2: choose the audio quality and how many listeners you need
Two figures decide your streaming plan: the audio quality, in kbps, and how many people can listen at the same time.
| Quality | Data per hour and listener | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 128 kbps | about 58 MB | Good-quality speech and music. Recommended if many listeners use mobile data. |
| 256 kbps | about 115 MB | More detailed music for a daily schedule. |
| 320 kbps | about 144 MB | The highest MP3 quality, for listeners on wifi or FM and AM stations that also stream online. |
Concurrent listeners are the people connected at the same moment, not the visits per day. A new station usually needs a few dozen; plan for more if you run events or already have an audience.
Step 3: prepare your music and licensing
Playing music in public usually requires licences from the songwriters and from whoever owns the recordings, and the rules vary by country. Check with the collecting society in your country before you launch, or use music under a licence that allows broadcasting. If the station plays in a business, you need music licensed for commercial use.
Sort your songs into folders or playlists by style, decade or time of day so the AutoDJ has variety from day one.
Step 4: set up the AutoDJ
Upload your music to the panel and create playlists: a general one for the whole day and others by time slot, such as calm music overnight. Add jingles or station IDs every few songs and configure crossfade so tracks do not cut off abruptly. The AutoDJ and podcasts guide explains how to organize your storage.
Step 5: go live
Create one account per host and connect their software with the panel details: server, port, username and password. While they broadcast, their signal replaces the AutoDJ; when they disconnect, the playlists resume. Run a test before the first show; the details are in how to prepare a live broadcast.
Step 6: share your station
Use the HTTPS link so your station plays on secure websites and on phones. Embed the player on your site, share the public page on social media and give the direct stream URL to people who listen in apps. Announce your schedule with its time zone: your listeners may be in other countries.
How much an online radio station costs
The main cost is the streaming server, paid monthly. At Radio en Línea all three plans include the same features (AutoDJ, live hosts, Web DJ, Shoutcast or Icecast and statistics) and differ in quality, listeners and storage:
| Plan | Monthly price | Quality | Concurrent listeners | AutoDJ music storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radio Básico | $75 MXN | 128 kbps | 100 | 5 GB |
| Radio Pro | $129 MXN | 256 kbps | 250 | 10 GB |
| Radio Premium | $179 MXN | 320 kbps | 500 | 15 GB |
Prices include Mexican VAT and drop by up to 10% when you pay for a year. Music licensing, a domain and a custom website are purchased separately.
Common mistakes when starting out
- Choosing more quality than you need: it uses more of your listeners' data with no clear gain on phones.
- Launching without AutoDJ: the station goes silent when nobody is live.
- Sharing the admin password: give every host their own account.
- Forgetting licensing: it can lead to complaints or the station being shut down.