Internet radio facts for kids
Internet radio is like regular radio, but it sends sound through the Internet instead of over the air. People often call it web radio or online radio. It's a way to listen to music, news, and talk shows using your computer, phone, or a special internet radio device. When you listen to internet radio, it's called webcasting because the sound travels through the internet's network.
Contents
What is Internet Radio?
Internet radio uses streaming media. This means the sound plays continuously as it arrives, much like a traditional radio. You usually cannot pause or rewind it. This is different from podcasting, where you download the whole audio file first. Internet radio lets you listen to many different things. You can find news, sports, talk shows, and all kinds of music.
How is it Different from Regular Radio?
Many internet radio stations are connected to regular radio stations you might hear on a traditional radio. But it's also easy and cheap to start an internet-only radio station. This means there are many unique stations you can find online that don't exist on regular radio.
When Did Internet Radio Start?
The very first internet radio service began in 1993. Over the years, it has grown a lot. By 2017, some of the most popular internet radio apps and websites included TuneIn Radio, iHeartRadio, and Sirius XM. These platforms let you find and listen to thousands of different stations from all over the world.
Images for kids
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An early Kerbango Internet radio receiver
See also
In Spanish: Radio por internet para niños
