Your broadband connection can turn your PC into a worldwide radio tuner. Forget dodgy tuning knobs and aerials, tuning into any station in the world is now just a click away.
How does it work?
Internet radio is a form of streaming media. This means it is not downloaded onto your computer, but is a continuous audio broadcast that is 'streamed' across the Internet so you can listen to it immediately, without waiting for transfers or downloads.
Real Player and Windows Media Player are the most common plug-ins used to access streaming content.
Tuning in
There are two flavours of Internet radio: existing radio stations that broadcast online and internet-only stations.
If you're looking for a station that is dedicated to your favourite genre of music, you're best bet is internet-only stations. They usually feature more niche programming.
Tuning into existing stations from other countries can broaden your horizons. Whether you want to keep up to date with Australian politics or just listen to country music accompanied by a thick Texan drawl, you can with your broadband connection.
- BBC Radio
- Real One Radio Guide
- VH1 Radio
- Live 365
Listen in to live BBC broadcasts from all the BBC channels, or catch up with a show you missed with the 7-day archive of every show.
Lists UK stations that broadcast online as well internet-only stations. For a fee you can get access to uninterrupted themed stations.
The music channel has an impressive list of genre-specific internet radio stations that feature mostly American artists.
Choose form over 47,000 Internet radio stations from all corners of the globe. And if you're really keen, you can subscribe and start your own station.
Once you've found a station you want to listen to, simply click on the audio link (usually flagged with a speaker icon or something similar) and the stream will launch within a media player.