How to Broadcast Your FM Radio on the Internet

Your FM station has a loyal local audience, but what if you could reach listeners all over the world? Broadcasting your radio FM on the internet allows you to share your content globally, giving your station a modern edge while maintaining your signature sound.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to stream your FM radio on the internet, including the equipment required, setup steps, and how RadioKing can make it all simple.

1/ Why broadcast on the Internet?
2/ What you need
3/ How to stream your FM radio online
4/ Bonus

Why put your FM Radio on the Internet?

Moving your radio FM to the internet offers a range of benefits that go far beyond your broadcast frequency:

• Reach a global audience: An FM signal only travels so far: its range is usually under 100 miles, and buildings or terrain can block it before it even gets there. Online, there are no geographical boundaries. As long as your listeners have an internet connection, they can tune in from your local town or from the other side of the world. This opens your station to international listeners who may be interested in your content, as well as expatriates or travellers wanting a taste of home.
• Adapt to listener habits: Many listeners now tune in via smartphones, computers, or smart speakers instead of traditional radios. Online streaming lets your audience listen on-the-go or from devices that are already part of their daily routines.
• Create new opportunities: Online broadcasting opens up new advertising and sponsorship channels. Brands may be more willing to sponsor a station with a global reach, and you can introduce premium content or listener subscriptions.
• Secure your future: FM frequencies can be crowded or limited, and regulations may change. Having a strong online presence ensures your station stays accessible and relevant, no matter the future of FM broadcasting.
• Record and repurpose your content: FM is live and in the moment: once a show is over, it’s gone. Streaming online lets you record your broadcasts and give them a second life (see below).

Careful: Broadcasting worldwide also means checking your broadcasting license. Royalties are owed to artists and labels, and the cost depends on your type of radio, the music you play, and where you broadcast from and to. If you need to, RadioKing’s geo-protection feature lets you block access to your station from specific countries.

Record and repurpose your FM shows

Once your FM radio streams on the internet, recording your broadcasts becomes easy. Listeners who missed a live show or interview can catch up on your website or app, and your content keeps working long after it aired:

• Turn it into a podcast: Radio and podcasts are complementary formats. Rather than uploading the raw recording, cut it down to the strongest moments and build a new episode from them.
• Create social media content: Share a 60-second extract that’s funny, educational or inspiring, or turn a guest’s best quote into a post with a behind-the-scenes photo.
• Transcribe your shows: Publishing your shows as articles gives your website fresh content and helps your SEO on Google and Bing. Many online tools can generate the transcript automatically.

💡 Recording doesn’t require any technical skills: if you stream with BUTT, just click the record button and your broadcast is saved to your computer.

What you need to broadcast your FM Radio on the Internet

Before you can stream your radio FM on the internet, make sure you have these essentials:

1. Your FM Station’s Audio Feed

You already have your sound running through a mixer or broadcast console. To go online, send that same output to a computer that can encode and stream it.

2. A Computer with Encoder Software

You’ll need a program to send your audio to the internet. Some popular and reliable options include:

💡 RadioKing supports all of these encoders and provides the connection details you need for easy configuration.

Prefer hardware? Use a physical encoder

Instead of software, you can use a physical encoder connected directly to your mixing desk. There are two types: Instreamers, which send audio to a server, and Exstreamers, which receive it. To send your FM broadcast to RadioKing, you need an Instreamer. If you’re not sure which brand to choose, take a look at Barix.

To connect it:

1. Connect the encoder to your internet connection with an Ethernet cable
2. Connect the encoder to your mixer
3. Turn on the encoder and note the IP address it gives you
4. Open that IP address in your web browser
5. Configure the settings using the live connection details from your Radio Manager

3. A Stable Internet Connection

For a clear and consistent broadcast, we recommend at least 1 Mbps of upload speed.

4. A RadioKing Stream

This is where RadioKing comes in. We handle the technical side of things and provide you with a dedicated online stream. Once connected (thanks to your encoder software), your FM radio will stream on the internet and be available to listen to through:

How to stream your FM Radio on the Internet with RadioKing

Ready to go live? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get your radio FM internet stream up and running.

Step 1: Create a RadioKing Account

Start by launching you free 14-day demo with RadioKing! You’ll get access to everything you need, including:

• A dedicated stream
• Connection details for your encoder software (server, port, password)
• Access to the Radio Manager, your online control center

Step 2: Configure Your Encoder

Open your chosen encoder (like BUTT) and enter the connection information provided by RadioKing:

• Server address
• Port number
• Password
• Mount point (if applicable)

Then, select your audio input source (usually the line output from your mixer or FM console) and click Connect to start streaming.

Step 3: Verify and Monitor Your Stream

Head to your RadioKing dashboard to confirm your stream is live. You can listen directly through your web radio player, which is automatically created for you, perfect for sharing with listeners online.

Note: don’t forget to start your radio in your Radio Manager before launching your live stream!

Step 4: Share Your FM Radio Online

Now that your radio FM internet stream is live, it’s time to spread the word!

• Embed your popup player on your website
• Share the link on social media
• Add your station to radio directories
• Create a radio mobile app or vocal app to make your station even more accessible

Bonus: Simulcast or go fully Online

You can use your radio FM internet stream in different ways:

• Simulcast: Broadcast your FM and online streams simultaneously to reach both audiences.
• Online-exclusive: Create unique web-only content or automated playlists using the Radio Manager.

Either way, your FM station gains a whole new digital audience!

Taking your radio FM to the internet is one of the most effective ways to future-proof your station and grow your audience. With RadioKing, you can stream your FM radio online in just a few clicks, no complicated setup required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anais

International SEO & Content Manager – Gryffindor

International SEO & Content Manager – Gryffindor