If you’re looking to dive into the world of internet radio but aren’t quite sure where to start when it comes to finding a radio show platform, we’re here to help! For over 10 years, RadioKing has been helping people all over the world to get their voices heard through the power of Internet radio. In this article, we’ll guide you through the essential steps and show you why RadioKing is the perfect radio hosting platform!
What does a radio show platform provide?
Essential features
What equipment do you need
Sharing your station
Monetizing your station
First of all, what exactly is a radio show platform? Generally speaking, it’s an online platform that allows you to create and manage your very own station on the Internet. Here at RadioKing, we provide you with an online stream (which broadcasts 24/7) that you can manage via an interface we like to call the Radio Manager. When it comes to choosing your hosting provider, bear in mind that not all of them offer the same features. Here are some of the main features provided by RadioKing:
When it comes to Internet radio, there are two different ways you can broadcast with RadioKing:
RadioKing also provides a number of features that are essential for any radio presenter! You’ll have access to an intelligent media library that makes organizing your content a piece of cake. Create custom tags to categorize your tracks according to genre, BPM, release year, mood etc… You can use these tags to create dynamic playlists that automatically update themselves according to specific criteria that you have chosen, or simply build manual playlists if you prefer.
The programs module allows you to build a show template composed of multiple playlists. Select the number of tracks to play from each playlist, whether they will play in random or sequential order, and even add intros/outros.
The statistics module is the key to understanding your audience’s listening habits and adjusting your content accordingly. View the number of listeners in real time, as well as their location, listening duration, listening device, and more!
RadioKing also provides you with a number of customizable widgets that can help you share your radio, and your content. Easy integrate them onto your website with a simple copy/paste:
The equipment you need depends on your budget, as well as the type of content you are planning on broadcasting on your station. Below we have listed the suggested equipment for basic, intermediate and advanced set ups for radio hosting.
This set up is for someone who only wants to broadcast in automatic mode on their station. For this, the only necessary equipment is:
If you want to broadcast in both automatic and live mode (one-person only) and are on a budget, you’ll need:
For someone looking to broadcast in both automatic and live mode, potentially with multiple people, and with a larger budget:
Note: if you’re planning on broadcasting commercial music on your station, you’ll need a music license.
As mentioned above, automatic broadcasting refers to any content that you have scheduled to play via your Radio Manager. RadioKing provides you with a calendar that allows you to easily configure your content to broadcast on the day and time that you want. You can even schedule up to 6 months in advance! Once your content has been scheduled, you can turn your computer off and we’ll take care of the rest. Your schedule is sent to our servers who then distribute it through your stream and make it available to listen to via the Internet.
In order to go live on air, you’ll need to use a broadcasting software. RadioKing is compatible with a wide range of software solutions (free and paid) for MacOS, Windows and Linux, that provide various different features and complexity levels. Easily configure your radio stream to the software of your choice using the connection information provided in your Radio Manager. Your audience can tune into your show via the same link that is used to listen to your automatic broadcast. Once your live show comes to an end, the Radio Manager will automatically revert back to your scheduled content for you.
When it comes to choosing a broadcasting software, here are our top 3 suggestions:
Find out more about going live on air here.
Once you’ve got your station up and running, you can finally start sharing it with the world! But how exactly do you do that? There are multiple ways for you to spread the word.
RadioKing provides various links in order to help you share your radio station directly with your listeners:
This link provides direct listening access to your radio station! You can include this link in the description boxes on your social network profiles, or post it regularly on your Facebook Page for example. This link can also be used to reference your station on various online directories. These platforms regroup thousands of Internet radios worldwide and allow listeners to search via genre. Most of them allow you to reference your station for free, be sure to check out our list of radio directories.
This link allows you to regroup all of your links in once place: listening links, social media profites, website URL. Easily customize it to your radio’s colours in order to keep a coherent visual identity. By sharing this link, you encourage your audience to discover the world of your radio station!
This dedicated page* is a mini-website that is 100% customizable to your radio’s colors, requiring no technical skills. The page is responsive (adapts on mobile, tablet and computer) and has an integrated radio player to facilitate listening. The radio page is optimized for search engines (SEO) helping you rank higher in search results.
(*Included in our Pro and Business Radio Offers, or as a paid option in our Start Offer)
Creating a website for your radio is another great way to easily share your station with the world. Regroup everything related to your radio station, and even provide additional content such as podcasts, events, photos and contests! Be sure to include keywords in order to improve your SEO and appear in top search engine results.
RadioKing also provides radio apps for iOS and Android, allowing you to put your radio in the pockets of your listeners! With an app, your audience can access your station on the go, in just a matter of seconds. It’s by far one of the easiest ways to tune in. Try our online app simulator for free: choose your colours, add your content and your app come to life in front of your eyes.
With the evolution of technology and the arrival of vocal assistants, it’s now possible to create vocal apps for your radio. These apps allow your listeners to launch your station via a simple voice command, and also ask for the name of the current track. RadioKing offers the creation of Alexa Skills, which work with Amazon’s virtual assistant. No need to fumble around for the right frequency, or even click open a link, simply ask Alexa to launch your radio and enjoy!
If you’re wondering whether it’s possible to earn a bit of cash with your radio, the answer is yes! There are various methods that can be used to monetize your station. They may not exactly make you rich quick, but in the longterm they can certainly help bring in extra funds for your project.
RadioKing is the perfect radio show platform for anyone looking to start their own station. With an intuitive platform, professional features, essential widgets, and additional turnkey services to help boost the visibility of your station. Plus, we have a wide range of resources, such as tutorials, and a YouTube channel, as well as a dedicated support team to answer any questions you may have.
Launch your free 14-day trial today and see for yourself!
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