Radio Stations on the Web

If the 1930s were radio's "Golden Age," then the 1990s may well be its "Platinum Age" thanks to the Internet. Now, with a Web browser and software programs, such as RealAudio, one can listen to radio stations from around the world. On the Web, there's dance music from England, classic rock from Sweden, and golden oldies from Greece; there's also news and entertainment from Italy, talk shows from Mexico, and eclectic college programming from Lawrence, Kansas, not to mention the availability of such popular programs as National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" and "Morning Edition" at (http://www.npr.org).

The MIT List of Radio Stations on the Internet (http://wmbr.mit.edu/stations/list.html) is a good place to start when looking for radio stations having an Internet presence. While there are several other extensive lists of radio stations available on the World Wide Web, this list is one of the most comprehensive. The site provides an alphabetical list (by call letters) of links to more than 2,000 radio stations in the U.S. and worldwide. There is also a search feature that allows you to look for stations by city, call letters, frequency and station format. The "Bitcasters" section links to radio stations that broadcast their audio signal over the Internet. Some other popular sites for radio-station links are: On the Air (http://www.ontheair.com), BRS Radio Directory (http://www.radio-directory.com/), TopRadio.com (http://www.topradio.com), and Yahoo! Radio Stations (http://www.yahoo.com/News_and_Media/Radio/Stations/Indices).

Before you can start listening to radio on the Internet, you will need to download RealNetworks' RealAudio Player at http://www.real.com/products/player/index.html. Though most radio stations use RealAudio to transmit their audio signals, a few stations use StreamWorks Player to bring audio to your desktop. To download the StreamWorks Player go to http://www.xingtech.com/sw_now.html.

Unfortunately, many radio stations cannot provide full 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week Internet service because they do not have the rights to Webcast many of their sports and syndicated programs. Stations hope to acquire the Web rights to these programs in the near future. But you don't have to wait for Internet radio to develop-there is, right now, an abundance of news and entertainment waiting for you via radio on the World Wide Web.

For assistance in connecting to the World Wide Web via UB computer accounts, contact the ASCIT Help Desk at 645-3542.

-Gemma DeVinney and Don Hartman, University Libraries