Starting your own web radio station is quicker than many people think. You need an idea, the right licences, broadcasting software and a stream server. This guide walks you through the steps in order.
1. Idea and audience
First, think about who you want to reach. A station for a particular music genre, region or community finds listeners more easily than a programme for everyone. Also decide when you will broadcast live and what plays the rest of the time.
2. Legal matters: music licences and broadcasting law
Music licences: If you play music, you usually need licences from collecting societies. In Germany these are GEMA (for composers and lyricists) and GVL (for performers and labels), and both offer tariffs for web radio. As the broadcaster, you obtain the licences yourself. A hosting package does not include any music licences. If you broadcast from another country, the collecting societies there are responsible.
Broadcasting law (Germany): Under the German Interstate Media Treaty, a web radio station aimed at all of Germany needs no licence if it reaches fewer than 20,000 simultaneous listeners on average over six months (Section 54 MStV). Regional stations are subject to separate, sometimes much lower limits depending on the federal state. The state media authority is responsible and can also confirm that no licence is required.
Legal notice: Your radio website needs a legal notice and a privacy policy, just like any other website.
3. Studio equipment
To get started, a computer, a good microphone and headphones are enough. A small mixer or audio interface makes you sound more professional. On top of that you need broadcasting software that combines music, jingles and microphone and sends the stream to the server. Popular options include:
- BUTT: free and simple, ideal for live shows
- RadioBOSS and SAM Broadcaster: with playlists, jingles and automation
- mAirList: popular with stations that have several presenters
4. Stream server: how your radio reaches listeners
Your broadcasting software sends a single stream to the stream server, which distributes it to all listeners at the same time. Look out for:
- Listener slots: how many people can listen at the same time
- Codec and bitrate: at the same bitrate, Opus and AAC sound better than MP3. More in our guide Codecs and bitrates.
- Shoutcast or Icecast: with LexyHost you don't have to choose, LexyCast provides your stream on both. See Shoutcast or Icecast.
- SSL: a stream over HTTPS also plays on encrypted websites. See SSL for website and stream.
- AutoDJ: keeps your programme playing when nobody is live.
How presenters connect to the server is explained in Connecting to the stream server as a presenter.
5. Website and community
Your radio website is where listeners find the player, the schedule and information about your team. A chat brings listeners right into the show: they send greetings and song requests while you are live. A TeamSpeak server is ideal for coordinating your team.
6. Getting known
List your station in radio directories and apps, for example radio.de, TuneIn or phonostar. Share your show times on social media and team up with other stations or artists. Regular live shows at fixed times are the best way to keep listeners.
The right package
- Radio hosting: stream server with LexyCast and web space for your radio website
- All inclusive: stream server, website, LexyChat for your listeners and TeamSpeak for your team
- laut.fm hosting: if you already broadcast on laut.fm and want your own website
All our servers are located in Germany. If you have questions about getting started, our ticket support is happy to help.
