Listening to Faraway Radio Stations Is Easier Than Ever

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One of the earliest uses of the internet was for streaming radio.

Starting in the early 1990s, you were no longer limited by your proximity to transmission towers. With a few clicks, you could access faraway stations with formats beyond Top 40 hits and

classic rock.

Are you a fan of jazz? Tune in, daddy-o, to a big-city specialty station. Do you miss sports talk about your hometown teams? Find those fans. Did you move to a warmer climate but still miss

the news your friends back home hear? Go to your favorite station’s website. Chances are good that you’ll find a Listen Live button ready for clicking on the station’s homepage.

live radio in your car

But here’s what’s new: Improvements in cellular technology and the way your smartphone connects with your vehicle make it easier than ever to stream these out-of-market stations into your

car. And unlike with satellite radio, you can listen for free with no subscription. Just make sure you have a good data plan with your phone service because you will use cellular data.

When you’re at home, listening over Wi-Fi can be as simple as telling your new smart speaker — such as an Amazon Echo or Google Home — to play a certain station.

“As Americans adopt different ways of consuming media, local broadcast radio is embracing the future,” says Ann Marie Cumming, senior vice president of communications for the National

Association of Broadcasters.