4 Features To Look For When Comparing Radio Streaming Services

The days of listening to FM radio are almost gone, with there being so many more options available to stream online. Not only do they offer better music quality, but more variety that you cannot find anywhere else. Here are some things to look for when you compare the different radio streaming services available, which should let you narrow down on the one you want to subscribe to.

Music Variety

What makes radio streaming services a bit different from other music streaming services is that you are listening to a channel rather than a curated playlist. You don't select the specific song that you want to hear, but rather there is a channel based on certain descriptors that draw you to it. This could be the genre of music, the decade that it was made, or even channels based on a specific artist's body of work. Take a look at what type of stations are offered and if they fit within your musical tastes.

Time Shifting Capabilities

A feature that is unique to Internet music streaming is the ability to play music on demand. While radio streaming services typically allow you to jump into the feed and listen right away, look for the ability to pause, rewind, and skip songs. There tend to be limitations to what you can do, such as a limited number of skips in a row, which is due to the nature of licensing music for a radio service. Radio stations pay a lower rate than on-demand services because the user has a small amount of control, which makes the service cheaper overall. That said, you should still get some control, so look into what time-shifting capabilities you will have. 

On-Demand Content

In addition to the live radio stream, the service may offer on-demand content that you can tune into at any point. This includes a countdown of the top 10 songs of the week, or maybe concerts that artists have performed live on the service in the past. Check out what content is available that you may be interested in.

Non Music Stations

There is much more to a radio streaming service than music since there are likely to be comedy, talk, sports, and other content that you are interested in. Some even integrate podcasts into their app so that the entire experience is seamless. You want a radio service that is going to be the one app you go to for all your audio needs. 

Start looking into music radio streaming options to get started.