HOW TO START YOUR OWN INTERNET RADIO STATION...A step by step guide

By D.W. Lindsey

Welcome to starting a local radio station. Every year more and
more people enjoy the benefits of independent radio stations
in their communities. Since 2001, the creation and growth
of local and independent media around the world has been
remarkable; this achievement is part of the growth of the entire
media sector, including commercial media, government media
and community media.

Internet radio station, online radio station, network radio or  Iweb radio is an audio stream that can be broadcast over the  Internet. This is called a stream, radio stream or listening link.  Therefore, you cannot listen to it with normal radio equipment.  As with classic radios that we mostly listen to in the car, there  are general internet and thematic internet radios. Today  we know that there are thousands of internet radio stations  around the world, but it is impossible to give an exact number  because technically anyone can start their own internet radio  station overnight.

• Language: English
• Publisher: D.W. Lindsey
• Release date: Oct 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223885528

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HOW TO START YOUR OWN INTERNET RADIO STATION...A step by step guide

D.W. Lindsey

Published by D.W. Lindsey, 2023.

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

HOW TO START YOUR OWN INTERNET RADIO STATION...A STEP BY STEP GUIDE

First edition. October 16, 2023.

Copyright © 2023 D.W. Lindsey.

ISBN: 979-8223885528

Written by D.W. Lindsey.

How To Start Your Own Internet Radio Station

D.W. Lindsey

All rights reserved

First Edition, 2023

© D.W. Lindsey, 2023

No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by means of electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission from the author.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

Chapter One

Different Types Of Internet Radio Stations

Chapter two

A step-by-step guide

Chapter Three

Basic Technical Problems

Chapter Four

Selection Of The Study Team

Chapter Five

Different Types Of Internet Radio Stations

Chapter Six

Value Of Staff And Volunteers

Chapter Seven

Why Start An Internet Radio Station And How Much Does It Cost?

Chapter Eight

How Does Internet Radio Work?

Chapter Nine

Radio Communities

Chapter Ten 81

How Do You Protect Your Radio Station Concept?

Chapter Eleven

Creating Powerful Programs

Chapter Twelve

Keys To Successful Internet Radio

Chapter Thirteen

Creating Powerful Programs

Chapter Fourteen

Financial Management

Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

Internet radio station, online radio station, network radio or web radio is an audio stream that can be broadcast over the Internet. This is called a stream, radio stream or listening link. Therefore, you cannot listen to it with normal radio equipment. As with classic radios that we mostly listen to in the car, there are general internet and thematic internet radios. Today we know that there are thousands of internet radio stations around the world, but it is impossible to give an exact number because technically anyone can start their own internet radio station overnight. The democratization of this new format was accelerated with existing FM radio stations, which saw the new channel as support for their listeners in new media. Over the years, other entities such as companies, media or associations have appropriated this medium for diversification.

Chapter One

Different Types Of Internet Radio Stations

When we talk about Internet radio stations, we have to put that term in quotation marks. Because? Simply because it actually combines two categories of internet radio. The first category includes all traditional radio devices that now broadcast on terrestrial Hertzian waves (FM) or digital terrestrial (RNT/DAB+). They practice what professionals commonly call simultaneous transmission.

In other words, they broadcast the same thing on the air and on the Internet at the same time. This makes it possible to listen to these radios without equipping a digital terrestrial receiver. This FM radio is often said to broadcast its stream online. The second category includes all independent or thematic radio stations that do not broadcast on terrestrial or digital hertz waves. These radios broadcast exclusively via the Internet. You can listen to these radios on your websites, mobile apps, connected speakers, audiobooks, your ISP’s boxes, and even in cars and connected TVs.

All traditional radio stations are now trying to broadcast on the Internet to keep up with their listeners, who are increasingly embracing online listening. It should be noted that some independent internet radios with the support of their listeners and donors are trying to broadcast on terrestrial (FM) or digital terrestrial (RNT/DAB+) radios to attack traditional radios.

There are two types of Internet radio: traditional terrestrial or digital radio that aims to broadcast over the Internet and independent or theme radio that broadcasts exclusively over the Internet.

Welcome to starting a local radio station. Every year more and more people enjoy the benefits of independent radio stations in their communities. Since 2001, the creation and growth of local and independent media around the world has been remarkable; this achievement is part of the growth of the entire media sector, including commercial media, government media and community media.

In this manual, we use the word independent to describe media that:

1) Provide communities with information that they need to be informed and make decisions about matters that concern them.

2) To make editorial decisions on the selection and coverage of contributions without the influence of radio station owners, powerful people or anyone else on those decisions.

This definition derives from the idea of the media as a fourth estate, where financial and editorial independence allows them to balance the other three areas or powers: legislative (parliamentary), executive (all government officials, including security officers) and judicial (judges). Independent local media give citizens the opportunity to find out what is happening in their communities, discuss issues and express their views to their governments, civil society organizations and the international community. It is recognized around the world that independent local media can help communities move forward in education and health, and toward economic stability and peace.

By local media we generally mean smaller media organizations that have a radio station that covers a city or town and surrounding areas. Some smaller media organizations have grown into larger organizations serving more than one location (sometimes with repeater stations and sometimes by adding new stations). This guide can be useful for new and smaller organizations, as well as for organizations that are growing or have already grown. In this handbook, we explain how independent local media are most successful when they are supported by their communities and when they respond to the needs of those communities. Independent local media speak with a truly local voice when they are open to the participation of all community members, regardless of ethnicity, tribal origin, social status, gender and age. In some cases, a license to broadcast a radio station may be held by a social organization, and in other cases, the license may be held by an individual. Either way, stations can speak with a local voice and bring their communities together in practical ways, through policies and programs. Once an independent radio station is established as part of a community, it becomes part of that community’s culture. How to achieve all this varies from community to community and radio station to radio station, but this guide describes the key elements of the process simply and accurately.

This guide describes the process of starting a local radio station: organizing community support and planning, equipment needs, programming strategies, business growth and sustainability, and journalistic ethics and standards. This guide does not require you to follow a set of rules for running and managing a station. But it provides important guidance on what to think about, why they matter, and how you can learn from the experiences of other communities in other parts of the world. This manual contains information for community supporters, station managers, reporters, technicians and other employees, and you may provide them with copies of this manual.

You may choose to read every page of this guide to become an expert on its content, guidelines, and tips. Or you can refer to this guide from time to time as needed. Regardless of your style and wherever you live in the world, this guide can walk you through the basics of creating and maintaining a radio station that becomes part of your community’s culture. Of course, you and your community are unique and your station will be new and unique.

This manual is divided into seven sections:

• Part 1 - covers the first steps in setting up a radio station, such as developing the station’s mission, creating an organizational structure, the roles and responsibilities of the people essential to the operation of the radio station, and obtaining broadcast and frequency licenses.

• The second part is a guide to choosing your station location, designing your study and choosing your equipment.

• Part Three: Offers advice on recruitment and placement of staff and volunteers discusses work performance and negotiates employment disputes.

• The fourth section - focuses entirely on understanding community radio: what it is, its benefits to the community and how to organize it.

• The fifth section - describes how to create interesting and informative radio programs. This section includes a discussion of radio as a medium, program ideas, and advice on how to decide whether your programs meet the needs of your community.

• Section Six - Explains sound financial management, provides guidance for creating a business plan, and provides marketing tips and templates that can be used for financial reporting.

• The seventh part: consists of two parts. Part 1 describes critical topics in ethics, including principles of ethical programming and behavior. The second part provides important information about media law.

PART ONE: THE BEGINNING

Different radio stations have different purposes or reasons, and it is important to remember your station’s purpose when thinking about management, programming, and other topics. There are three types of radio stations and they all have different interests. State/government radio stations are funded, owned or operated by the government. In some cases, state radio exists to represent the views of the government, and in other cases, state radio operates as an independent public service.

Commercial radio stations are privately