Radiocast broadcasting suite FAQ

Radiocast is an internet radio broadcasting suite combining Hosting, AirChain, Reporter, Sites, and Discovery. Hosting provides streaming and AutoDJ. AirChain processes broadcast audio. Reporter creates voiced news, weather, and traffic segments. Sites builds station websites. Discovery helps listeners find and stream stations. Radiocast serves hobby DJs, churches, schools, community radio, and internet radio startups.

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.

Explore Hosting at radiocast.net/, AirChain at radiocast.net/airchain, Reporter at radiocast.net/reporter, Sites at radiocast.net/sites, and Discovery at radiocast.net/stations. Reporter is currently in alpha. Product availability and inclusion vary by plan; check each product page for current details.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

128 kbps can work well for speech and mobile listening, while 192 kbps is a strong everyday music setting. At the same bitrate, AAC can sound comparable to higher-bitrate MP3 in many listening situations, though results depend on the encoder and source audio. Radiocast uses 192 kbps AAC/MP3 on Professional, Small Business, and Max; 320 kbps AAC/MP3 on Enterprise and Reseller.

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.

Listening on Radiocast is free. Broadcasting is not. Radiocast does not offer an unlimited free radio hosting tier. Paid internet radio hosting starts at $5.99/mo (Professional) with AutoDJ, music storage, and a concurrent listener cap. Other hosts sometimes advertise free radio hosting with ads, a short trial, or very low listener limits. If you only want to listen, use radiocast.net/stations. If you need to broadcast 24/7, Professional at $5.99/mo is the lowest-cost managed option without running your own VPS. Confirm live rates on radiocast.net.

Choose a hosting plan at radiocast.net, 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.

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 for the current plan comparison.

Paid plans start at $5.99/mo and scale up for more storage, listeners, and advanced features. Enterprise and Reseller are quoted by our team. Open a ticket at billing.radiocast.net/support. Always confirm live rates on radiocast.net before purchasing.

AzuraCast hosting means you get a radio station panel (media, playlists, AutoDJ, live DJs, and mounts) without installing AzuraCast on your own VPS. Radiocast offers managed AzuraCast hosting on eligible plans: you use the panel, and Radiocast runs streaming, SSL, backups, and DDoS protection. That is different from self-hosted AzuraCast, where you patch Docker and the server yourself. Compare managed vs DIY at radiocast.net/compare/self-hosted-azuracast and see current plans at radiocast.net.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The best platform depends on your goals, budget, and technical comfort. Look for reliable uptime, clear listener limits, AutoDJ and live streaming, music storage, analytics, and support. Radiocast is built for broadcasters who want managed internet radio hosting with AutoDJ, live DJ handoffs, station pages, directory discovery, and tools to grow an audience—without running your own streaming servers. Compare plans at radiocast.net and browse example stations at radiocast.net/stations before you commit.

For a small station, internet radio hosting usually costs about $5 to $20 per month. Price goes up with storage, bitrate, and concurrent listeners. A cheap VPS can look lower on paper, then you add time for updates, backups, and DDoS. On Radiocast, paid hosting starts at $5.99/mo (Professional: 10GB, up to 100 listeners, AutoDJ). Small Business is $8.99/mo and Radiocast Max is $19.99/mo. Enterprise and Reseller are quoted. Confirm live pricing on radiocast.net. Side-by-side vs Radio.co, Live365, and Shoutcast: radiocast.net/compare/radio-co, radiocast.net/compare/live365, and radiocast.net/compare/shoutcast.

You need rights to the music and audio you broadcast. That usually means licenses from performance rights organizations (such as ASCAP, BMI, SESAC in the United States, or equivalents in your country), direct agreements with rights holders, or royalty-free and properly licensed media. A hosting account does not replace music licensing—station owners remain responsible for compliance. Radiocast publishes station guidelines and responds to copyright reports; when in doubt, consult a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction before launching.

Shoutcast is a long-standing streaming protocol ecosystem; many tools and hosts support it, but day-to-day station management often feels fragmented for newcomers. AzuraCast is a modern, open-source station manager with a web panel for media, playlists, scheduling, and live DJs. Many beginners prefer one dashboard instead of juggling separate pieces. Radiocast offers managed hosting with AzuraCast-style workflows on eligible plans, so you can focus on programming rather than server maintenance. Full write-ups: radiocast.net/compare/shoutcast and radiocast.net/compare/self-hosted-azuracast. If you only need a bare relay and already know legacy tools, a Shoutcast-style setup may still fit. For most new station owners, an integrated panel is easier.

Grow listeners by improving discoverability and consistency: use accurate station name, genre, and artwork; write a clear About section; keep a reliable 24/7 or promoted live schedule; share your Radiocast station page on social media and community groups; cross-promote with other broadcasters; and ask satisfied listeners to follow you. Listing in the Radiocast directory (radiocast.net/apply) helps new audiences find you. Post DJ openings on radiocast.net/discover/djs if you want collaborators. Track analytics in your dashboard, promote peak shows, and avoid long dead air—the biggest retention win is dependable programming listeners can return to.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 billing portal (billing.radiocast.net), or contact support if you need help closing an account or exporting station data before cancellation.