If you want to listen to internet radio, all you'll need is 'streaming' software and the address of the internet radio site you want to listen to.

Internet radio is great because you can listen to radio stations from all over the world.

So, for instance, if you move from London to Wales but your favourite station is BBC London you'll still be able to listen to them in your new home!

What is Internet radio

Internet radio is when audio files are broadcast over the internet rather than air waves. It's often the same as you hear from your radio, only you get it via the web.

Some radio sites, such as the BBC's Radio site, also offer a selection of pre-recorded radio programmes for you to choose from.

That means you can play a repeat of a show you missed or choose to listen to a radio programme when you, not the radio station, choose.

Listening to Internet radio

Internet radio can be picked up by any PC which has 'streaming' software such as RealNetwork's Real Player or Microsoft's Windows MediaPlayer.

As long as you have the software on your machine, all you need to do is go to the radio site and click the link to play the radio broadcast.

Normal radios can tune in to any stations broadcasting near by. However, audio software on the web may well have 'proprietary' formats.

This means that you may need the right software for the particular radio station you are listening to.

So, for example, Microsoft's Window's Media Player cannot open .rm files which the BBC uses for its radio stations online. You need Real Player for those.