Internet Radio – More Information
Internet radio allows anybody with an internet connection to listen to a station without needing a traditional FM or AM radio.
Instead of transmitting through a local radio frequency, an internet station sends its audio stream across the internet. Listeners can tune in through a station's website, web player, mobile device, internet radio directory or compatible smart device.
For independent stations, DJs and music communities, this has made it possible to build a station capable of reaching listeners far beyond its home town.
Do You Need an Ofcom Licence?
If your station is online-only in the UK, you do not normally need a radio broadcasting licence from Ofcom.
Ofcom states that it does not regulate online-only radio services in the same way as conventional broadcast radio.
This changes if you decide to move onto services such as FM, AM or DAB, where separate broadcasting and technical licensing requirements can apply.
Music Copyright Is Different
Not needing an Ofcom licence does not automatically mean you can play commercial music without permission.
There are different rights involved in recorded music.
Broadly, these include rights connected with the sound recording, represented in the UK by PPL for much commercially released music, and rights in the song/composition and lyrics, represented by PRS for Music for repertoire it controls.
An internet radio operator therefore needs to establish which licences are required for the music and type of service it intends to provide.
PPL Linear Webcast Licence
PPL provides a Linear Webcast Licence for qualifying online radio services.
A linear webcast is similar to conventional radio: the station determines what is played and listeners hear the programme at the point currently being broadcast.
It can cover services such as:
- Internet radio stations
- Online webcast channels
- Online simulcasts of conventional radio stations
- Other qualifying live audio-only linear streams containing recorded music
This is different from providing listeners with an on-demand music library where they can select individual tracks whenever they want.
Linear Radio vs On-Demand Music
This distinction is important when designing an internet station.
A conventional internet radio stream might play:
DJ → Track A → Station ident → Track B → Presenter → Track C
Everybody listening at that moment receives essentially the same scheduled programme.
An on-demand service works differently. If visitors can choose individual commercial recordings, download tracks, extensively skip music or otherwise control exactly what they hear, different licensing arrangements may be required.
Simply calling something an "internet radio station" doesn't automatically make every music feature on its website covered by the same licence.
What About Podcasts?
Podcasts can also require different rights from a live internet-radio stream.
In particular, putting full commercially released songs into a downloadable programme should not be assumed to be covered by the same licence used for a linear radio stream.
Stations wanting to archive DJ shows as podcasts should therefore check the rights separately before making those programmes downloadable or permanently available on demand.
What About YouTube, Mixcloud and Other Platforms?
Using an established platform and running your own internet-radio stream are also different things.
Platforms may have their own agreements, permitted uses and restrictions. A station should follow the terms and copyright systems of each platform rather than assuming a licence for its own website automatically covers everything uploaded elsewhere.
Likewise, embedding content from a legitimate platform is different from copying the media and hosting it yourself.
DJs and Guest Shows
Internet stations often accept programmes from guest DJs.
That does not remove the station operator's responsibility to understand the licensing position of music transmitted through the station.
It is sensible to keep proper information about each programme, including:
DJ/show name, broadcast date and time, artist, track title and version/remix where known.
Good metadata also makes schedules and "now playing" information much more useful for listeners.
Shoutcast and Icecast
Software such as Shoutcast and Icecast provides the technical streaming infrastructure.
It does not, by itself, provide copyright permission to use commercially released music.
The same applies to renting a streaming server from a hosting company. Paying for bandwidth and a server keeps the stream online; it doesn't necessarily pay the music royalties.
Running Costs
A small internet station can potentially have several separate costs:
Streaming hosting and bandwidth
Website/domain hosting
Music licensing
Automation or playout software
Storage and backups
Website development
DJ equipment
Promotion
The actual cost varies considerably depending on the number of listeners, amount and type of music used, territory and how the service operates.
Internet Radio Can Still Be Independent
One of internet radio's biggest advantages is that a station doesn't need a powerful FM transmitter to develop an audience.
A small operation in Teesside can potentially have listeners across the UK and beyond.
That makes internet radio particularly useful for underground scenes that receive limited exposure through mainstream broadcasting.
Hardcore, Makina, trance, old-school, jungle, local DJs, MCs and independent producers can all have somewhere for their music and history to be discovered.
That's a big part of what independent radio has always been about.
Important
Music licensing can be complicated and licences and fees can change.
Before launching a station or adding a new feature such as podcasts, downloadable shows or on-demand music, check the current requirements directly with PPL, PRS for Music and, where relevant, Ofcom.
Do not assume that because a piece of music can be found online it is automatically free to rebroadcast.
WGR – Supporting underground music, DJs, artists and the history of independent radio.