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GUIDE / COST

What does an internet radio station really cost?

Hosting can be inexpensive. The complete budget depends on content rights, live equipment, audience scale and how much of the operation you manage yourself.

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01

Platform and hosting.

Entry-level managed platforms can begin around US$10 per month, while mature services and higher-capacity plans can cost substantially more. Compare storage, listeners, listener hours, team access and automation—not just the cheapest headline.

SGNL Starter is US$10 per month for one station; Growth is US$20 per month for up to three stations. The current public limits are stated on the pricing page.

02

Music and content licensing.

Licensing can cost more than the software and varies significantly by country, audience and repertoire. A platform price should never be mistaken for permission to broadcast protected content.

Budget for the relevant composition, sound-recording, performance and reporting obligations. Talk-led stations still need permission for music beds, clips and syndicated material.

03

Live studio equipment.

A prepared AutoDJ station can start with equipment you already own. A dependable live setup may add a microphone, headphones, audio interface, mixer, acoustic treatment and backup connectivity.

Buy for the format. A solo speech show has different needs from a multi-presenter music programme.

04

Website, apps and promotion.

An embeddable player can live on an existing website, avoiding a custom build at launch. Branded mobile apps, smart-speaker integrations, advertising and design work can add ongoing cost.

Start with the station page and an embed. Add channels after the audience demonstrates a need for them.

05

The hidden cost: operator time.

Self-hosted software may have no licence fee, but someone must maintain the server, security, backups, updates, monitoring and delivery. Managed hosting moves more of that work into the subscription.

Budget for programming, metadata, rights reporting, presenter coordination and audience development. Automation reduces repetitive work; it does not replace station leadership.

Clear answers.

Can I start an internet radio station for free?

A technical experiment may use free software, but a public station still has hosting, rights, equipment, reliability and operator-time costs.

Is licensing included in SGNL pricing?

No. Licensing is separate and remains the operator's responsibility.

Which SGNL plan should a new station use?

Starter is designed for one station getting on air. Growth fits larger teams or workspaces operating up to three stations.

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