Radio has certainly seen some ups and downs in its more-than-100-year history, but remains one of the most important mediums for keeping the public informed and entertained. More than 75% of households in developing countries have a radio, and there are more than 44,000 terrestrial stations worldwide with estimates for online radio stations running into the hundreds of thousands. With the advent of the Internet, radio entered a new age of accessibility where anyone with a computer, a connection and a microphone can in just a few hours set up a station and begin producing their own shows.

Whether you’d like to do a music show, host your own talk show on topics such as local politics or report on emergency situations like the coronavirus pandemic, or live broadcast special events, we’ve got you covered. We’ve put together this guide to help you jumpstart a station and show you how to start your own online radio show in six easy steps.

Step 1: Choose a subject and format

If you’re looking to host your own radio show you will first need to decide on the style of the show. Let’s look at the most common show formats:

Music programs

Music programs are probably the most popular format in radio. Wikipedia lists over 50 different genres of music radio alone, ranging from pop to classical, hip-hop to easy listening, jazz, folk, and many regional types of folk music. Whatever music you choose to play make sure you are following the rules as a DJ. Unless you are using royalty-free music, be sure to check the copyright laws in your country for licensing info on the songs you want to play. Also, be sure to check whether your country requires any additional licensing to broadcast online.  

Some radio software generates content automatically. The traditional approach is more hands-on, where you build your own show playlist and add DJ commentary. 

Talk shows

Talk shows offer the best opportunity for hosts to develop a strong on-air personality and shine. The range of potential topics is vast: political discussions, community-based issues, arts and culture, celebrity interviews, even comedy. Be sure to brush up on your interviewing skills, do the proper research before each episode and prepare a list of questions before interviewing on-air guests and call-in listeners.

Live broadcasting events

Live broadcasting events such as cultural festivals, sports and social events, conferences and trade shows are a perfect opportunity to keep your audience informed on the latest trends. And don’t forget music concerts as well, though in the case of artists with commercial representation you’ll need to clear the broadcasting rights beforehand. 

Step 2: Choose a name for your show

Once you’ve decided on the subject of your show, it’s advisable to do thorough research on the competition and analyse their programming and production techniques. It’s also time to begin branding, and that starts with coming up with a creative name for the show.

Step 3: Sign up for an online radio station and gather the basic equipment

In order to host your own radio show, you’ll need to have an Internet station. Evaluate the needs of your station, your plans for the future and your budget and select an online broadcasting platform that matches these key criteria. Other factors you may want to consider when choosing your online radio software include: amount of storage space, streaming bandwidth, and whether you will be the only DJ for your station or if you need access for additional team members.

Once you’re signed up for your station, you’ll need some minimum broadcasting equipment. We’ll assume you already have a computer and internet connection, but to get started you’ll also need a few more basic items, like a microphone and a pair of headphones. Our guide “10 Essential Pieces of Equipment for Online Radio Newbies” details these basics and takes you through additional items you’ll want to add as you become more adept at radio broadcasting, such as a mixing deck, microphone filters and soundproofing panels.