Internet radio is a method of audio transmission that is similar to conventional radio. Unlike the traditional radio signal, Internet radio is broadcast instantly to computers or other electronic devices by way of the Internet.

There are different categories of Internet radio which include standard regular FM/AM radio, music suggestion, or a radio network soley for the Internet; streaming technology is used for all of these. When an audio or video signal is streamed it is constantly being acquired by a user in a signal. Streaming media is built-in to a form of Internet radio where traditional radio stations are broadcast over the Internet. It is broadcast in real time as it is being broadcast over traditional radio airwaves.

Music recommendation is a type of Internet radio. For example, Pandora Radio plays songs that are like the ones you request. You can request an artist and a song by that artist is played; when that song is finished a similar one will play. Pandora decides what is similar from ones that their own staff and Pandora users have ranked as alike. A favorite for many is Internet radio station, www.slackerradio.com which is also a music recommendation.

Internet exclusive radio networks include SHOUTcast. This type of radio contains content exclusive to the Internet and is created by both and professionals non-professionals. Internet exclusive radio works just like AM/FM radio, but is broadcast using the Internet.