Radiocast FAQ — Internet Radio & Hosting

Question 1

What is Radiocast?

Accepted Answer

Radiocast is an internet radio platform with two main parts: a public directory where listeners discover and stream online radio stations, and a hosting stack where broadcasters launch stations with live streaming, AutoDJ automation, analytics, and station management tools. Radiocast serves hobby DJs, churches, schools, community radio, and internet radio startups.

Question 2

Is Radiocast only for hosting, or can I just listen?

Accepted Answer

Both. You can browse and listen at radiocast.net/stations without hosting a station. If you want to broadcast, Radiocast hosting plans include streaming infrastructure, music libraries, scheduling, and optional directory exposure for your station.

Question 3

Who is Radiocast built for?

Accepted Answer

Radiocast is built for DJs and producers, churches and ministries, schools and universities, community radio groups, and internet radio startups. The platform supports 24/7 automated playback, live DJ handoffs, team roles, and audience growth tools.

Question 4

How is Radiocast different from Spotify or Apple Music?

Accepted Answer

Spotify and Apple Music are on-demand music catalogs for personal listening. Radiocast is built around live internet radio: scheduled programming, live shows, station branding, and broadcaster-owned streams. Listeners tune in to a station feed rather than picking individual tracks on demand.

Question 5

Does Radiocast own the stations on the platform?

Accepted Answer

No. Most stations on Radiocast are operated by independent broadcasters, organizations, and creators. Radiocast provides hosting, discovery, moderation, and platform tools, but station owners control their programming, branding, and compliance with content guidelines.

Question 6

Where can I get help or talk to support?

Accepted Answer

Visit billing.radiocast.net/support for billing and technical support. For staff contact on engineering, moderation, or compliance topics, use radiocast.net/contact. Platform news and product updates are published at radiocast.net/news and radiocast.net/blog.

Question 7

What is internet radio?

Accepted Answer

Internet radio (also called online radio or web radio) delivers audio programming over the internet instead of traditional AM/FM transmitters. Listeners stream audio through a website, app, or media player. Broadcasters upload music and shows, schedule playlists, or go live from DJ software.

Question 8

How does online radio streaming work?

Accepted Answer

A broadcaster sends audio to a streaming server, which encodes the signal (often MP3 or AAC) and distributes it to listeners. When someone presses play, their device connects to the stream URL and buffers audio in real time. Hosting providers like Radiocast manage servers, bandwidth, mounts, and uptime.

Question 9

What is AutoDJ?

Accepted Answer

AutoDJ is automated radio playback. The system plays scheduled playlists, rotations, or uploaded media when a live DJ is not connected. AutoDJ keeps a station on air 24/7, handles song transitions, and can follow rules for genres, explicit content, or time blocks.

Question 10

What is a stream mount or mount point?

Accepted Answer

A mount point is an endpoint on a streaming server (for example /live) that carries one encoded feed. Stations may offer multiple mounts at different bitrates or formats so listeners on mobile, desktop, or car systems can choose the best quality for their connection.

Question 11

What bitrate should I use for internet radio?

Accepted Answer

Common bitrates are 128 kbps for general listening and 192–320 kbps for higher fidelity. Higher bitrates sound better but use more bandwidth for you and your listeners. Radiocast plans specify allowed mount bitrates; choose a balance between audio quality and listener data usage.

Question 12

What is the difference between live DJ streaming and automated radio?

Accepted Answer

Live DJ streaming sends audio in real time from software such as BUTT, Mixxx, or Virtual DJ while the DJ is on air. Automated radio uses uploaded media and schedules to play content without a live connection. Many stations combine both: live shows during peak hours and AutoDJ overnight.

Question 13

How do I start an online radio station on Radiocast?

Accepted Answer

Choose a hosting plan at radiocast.net/hosting, create your account, configure your station in the broadcaster panel, upload music or connect media sources, set up AutoDJ or live streaming, and publish your stream. You can apply for directory listing so listeners can discover your station on radiocast.net/stations.

Question 14

What features are included with Radiocast hosting?

Accepted Answer

Typical features include 24/7 broadcasting, AutoDJ, music storage, multiple stream mounts, real-time analytics, DJ accounts, scheduling, geo-blocking, IP blocking, DDoS protection, backups, and priority support on higher tiers. Visit radiocast.net/hosting for the current plan comparison.

Question 15

How much does Radiocast hosting cost?

Accepted Answer

Paid plans start around $5.99 per month for entry tiers and scale up for more storage, listeners, and advanced features. Enterprise and reseller options are available for larger operations. Pricing changes over time—always confirm live rates on radiocast.net/hosting before purchasing.

Question 16

What is Azuracast and how does it relate to Radiocast?

Accepted Answer

Azuracast is open-source radio station management software used by many internet radio hosts. Radiocast integrates broadcaster workflows with panel access on eligible plans so station owners can manage media, mounts, schedules, and live DJs through familiar Azuracast-style tools.

Question 17

Can I broadcast live and use AutoDJ on the same station?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Most internet radio workflows support live takeover: when a DJ connects and goes live, the stream switches to the live feed; when they disconnect, AutoDJ resumes scheduled or rotating playlists. This is a standard pattern for stations that need 24/7 uptime with scheduled live shows.

Question 18

How many listeners can my station support?

Accepted Answer

Concurrent listener limits depend on your hosting plan. Entry plans support smaller audiences; higher tiers increase capacity into hundreds or unlimited listeners on enterprise offerings. If you expect traffic spikes, choose a plan with headroom and monitor analytics in your dashboard.

Question 19

Can I run multiple stations on one account?

Accepted Answer

Multi-station support depends on your plan. Reseller and enterprise tiers are designed for operators managing many stations. Check plan details on the hosting page or contact support if you need a custom deployment.

Question 20

Does Radiocast offer stream recording or archives?

Accepted Answer

Radiocast supports stream recording and archival use cases for compliance, syndication, and replay depending on plan and configuration. Recording increases storage needs; confirm availability and limits for your tier before relying on archives for regulatory compliance.

Question 21

How do I find radio stations on Radiocast?

Accepted Answer

Visit radiocast.net/stations to browse the directory. You can explore by genre, search by station name, and open individual station pages to listen in the browser. Featured and curated stations may appear on the homepage and discovery sections.

Question 22

Can I listen to Radiocast stations on my phone?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Station pages are designed for modern browsers on mobile and desktop. Open a station page and use the built-in player, or copy the stream URL into a compatible internet radio app if the station provides one.

Question 23

Why does a station show an explicit content warning?

Accepted Answer

Stations that broadcast profanity, sexual content, or other material flagged by the owner display an explicit warning before playback. This helps listeners make informed choices and supports Radiocast community guidelines.

Question 24

How do I submit my station to the Radiocast directory?

Accepted Answer

Use the apply flow at radiocast.net/apply to request directory inclusion. Submissions are reviewed for quality, metadata, and guideline compliance. Directory listing is separate from hosting—you need a working stream and accurate station information.

Question 25

What content is not allowed on Radiocast stations?

Accepted Answer

Radiocast prohibits hate speech, illegal content, and material that violates station guidelines or indecent-language policies. Stations with explicit programming must flag content appropriately. Repeated violations can lead to suspension or removal. Read radiocast.net/station-guidelines and radiocast.net/indecent-language for details.

Question 26

How does Radiocast handle copyright and DMCA requests?

Accepted Answer

Station owners must have rights to the music and audio they broadcast. Rights holders can submit DMCA takedown notices using the contact information in the site footer. Radiocast reviews reports and may remove or restrict content that infringes copyright.

Question 27

What are Radiocast credits?

Accepted Answer

Credits are the in-platform currency used for station upgrades, listener features, ads, and other add-ons in the Radiocast store. You can purchase or earn credits depending on promotions and account activity. See radiocast.net/store for current offerings.

Question 28

How do I manage my subscription or billing?

Accepted Answer

Sign in at radiocast.net/login and use account billing tools, or open the subscription management link in the site footer. For invoices, plan changes, or payment issues, contact support at billing.radiocast.net/support.

Question 29

Can I cancel my hosting plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Cancellation policies depend on your billing term (monthly or yearly) and are described in the Terms of Use. Use the subscription management portal or contact support if you need help closing an account or exporting station data before cancellation.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Radiocast

Internet radio basics

Hosting & broadcasting on Radiocast

Listening & discovery

Policies, content & compliance

Billing & account