Streaming Radio
Does radio play the soundtrack of your life? In my day it did. The radio was always on in the kitchen of my home, and when I rode in the car with my family, AM radio always played the hits of the day, many of which you now hear on Classic Rock stations! When I began driving, I had access to FM radio in my car, which increased the choices I had for radio. Radio, especially the Beatles and the Beach Boys, and later Steely Dan and the Talking Heads, were really the soundtrack of my life growing up.
Nowadays, it seems radio is less a feature of people's lives, as they have so many other media choices. Paradoxically, the choices for radio have never been greater. Radio is the most accessible media of all, as it can be played anywhere, and we now have access to streaming radio from everywhere in the world.
In the Lifelong English Seminar, we will access radio from abroad in an effort to make English radio, from lyrics, DJ talk and advertisements, part of the soundtrack of our lives, at least for this year, and hopefully carrying on into the future.
Nowadays, it seems radio is less a feature of people's lives, as they have so many other media choices. Paradoxically, the choices for radio have never been greater. Radio is the most accessible media of all, as it can be played anywhere, and we now have access to streaming radio from everywhere in the world.
In the Lifelong English Seminar, we will access radio from abroad in an effort to make English radio, from lyrics, DJ talk and advertisements, part of the soundtrack of our lives, at least for this year, and hopefully carrying on into the future.
Free Streaming Radio Apps
Tunein Radio is the most popular streaming radio app. It's free and has many features,. I like that it shows the playlist of the songs you've listened to. Over a million and a half people have reviewed this app on Google Play, with most giving it 5 stars. I don't like that some songs don't appear on the playlist, but that's my only complaint. I use this app almost every day! Watch your battery, though!
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2021 Update: Please use TuneIn above. You don't have to pay for the premium service. Just close the top screen and then search for one of the stations I recommend below (scroll down). Radio.net may be OK, but the stations I found in previous years are gone from that app. On the other hand, KIIS from Sydney, Australia is still available, so if you like the Pop genre, it may work for you.
English Radio: I discovered this app in March 2018. I wonder if having so many choices is really a good thing? Anyway, this app has listed many English radio stations, TV stations and other English resources all together on one app. If you take some time, I'm sure you can find something to listen to here!
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What stations should I listen to?
On TuneIn, try ...
On TuneIn, try ...
Pop
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Eclectic
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Alternative |
Sorry! Looking for a new station with DJ talk.
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College
These are not recommended; too little DJ chat!
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.977 Hits Radio does NOT have DJs. For music only, it's great, but for learning English, it's not recommended.
Radio Paradise has great rock playlists, but there is no DJ talk. Please find a station with DJ talk!
Planet Rock may not be live anymore; sorry. https://www.radio.net/s/planetrock
X92.9 Calgary may not be on Radio.net anyomore; sorry. https://www.x929.ca/
Jango (below) is good for listening to playlists, but there is no DJ talk. Please choose one of the apps above instead!
Jango has a slightly higher rating than Tunein Radio, though with fewer reviewers. This app is nice because there are few advertisements. On the other hand, that means there are fewer opportunities for you to hear English! Anyway, it's a popular app that recommends music to you based on the artists you like. It also introduces new artists in the same genre.
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