Rio de janeiro Radio Stations

Introduction to Rio De Janeiro

The lively and colourful city of Rio De Janeiro or Rio is a vibrant and captivating jewel of southeastern Brazil. Rio is best known for its beautiful sunny beaches, energetic festivals and carnivals, and numerous attractive landmarks. The city bustles with visitors every year from all over the globe.

Rio De Janeiro was founded by the Portuguese in 1565 and served as the capital of Brazil until 1960. During that time, the city witnessed numerous historical events such as the arrival of the Portuguese royal family in 1808 or the declaration of Brazil’s independence in 1822. Rio was even the host of the 2016 Summer Olympics. Today, it stands as a shining bastion of numerous cultures including indigenous, African, European, and others. 

A simple stroll through the city both day and nighttime will reward you with new and exciting experiences. Some of which include lively Samba music and dance, a thriving art scene, and numerous delicious smells of Rio cuisine. Visit Rio’s Museum of Modern Art, the street art scene, or the statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain. Explore the golden sandy beaches of Copacabana or The Sugarloaf Mountain and Tijuca National Park for stunning views.

A culturally rich city like Rio has also spawned a diverse and vibrant radio station scene. Let us explore it.

Radio Scene in Rio De Janeiro

As is the case for many countries, the Rio De Janeiro radio scene started back in the 1920s with the first experimental radio station. For Brazil and Rio, this was the Radio Sociedada do Rio de Janeiro that began broadcasting in 1923. It marked the beginning of a new era of communication broadcasting news, music, and cultural programming.

During the early development of radio in Rio, stations focused on live music performances including samba, choro, and other traditional Brazilian genres. These broadcasts helped popularize Brazilian music and allowed local artists to gain recognition. The Rio De Janeiro radio scene evolved further in the 50s and 60s with the emergence of Bossa Nova. This blend of samba with jazz swept the Brazil radio scene with artists like Tom Jobim and Joao Gilberto.

Today, Rio radio scenes broadcast mainly music and sports and feature a diverse range of genres and formats. From traditional genres to funk, rock, and electronic music, you can enjoy whatever style suits you. There are over 100 stations in Rio broadcasting talk shows and music and a lot of them have even adapted to the digital format.

Let us show you some of the top radio stations in Rio De Janeiro.

Top List of Radio Stations in Rio De Janeiro

As you can probably guess the most popular type of radio station formats in Rio De Janeiro are music broadcasts. There are countless genres to experience in the Rio radio scene including both traditional genres and international ones. These are just a few options for each of the city’s most popular genres. Furthermore, talk shows and news coverage is also popular for radio stations in Rio so we included some options for those formats as well.

Samba and Pagode:

• Rádio Globo Rio (FM 98.1 MHz)
• Rádio Nacional (AM 1130 kHz)
• Rádio Cidade (FM 102.9 MHz)

Funk:

• FM O Dia (FM 100.5 MHz)
• Beat98 (FM 98.1 MHz)

MPB (Música Popular Brasileira):

• MPB FM (FM 90.3 MHz)
• Rádio MEC (AM 800 kHz)

Rock:

• Mix FM Rio (FM 102.1 MHz)
• Rádio Cidade Rock (FM 102.9 MHz)
• Kiss FM Brasil (FM 91.9 MHz)

Bossa Nova:

• Rádio Batuta (Online station by Instituto Moreira Salles)
• Rádio Bossa Jazz Brasil (Online station)

EDM (Electronic Dance Music):

• Rádio DJ Sound (Online station)
• Energia 97 FM (FM 97.7 MHz)

Talk Shows and News:

• CBN Rio (FM 92.5 MHz)
• BandNews FM Rio (FM 94.9 MHz)
• Rádio Tupi (AM 1280 kHz)

The majority of these stations have hybrid formatting so you can expect more than music while listening to each one. Some also feature talk shows or even concerts, listener interviews, or interviews with celebrities from Brazil in general.

Local Radio Personalities in Rio De Janeiro

Let us take a peak behind the curtain of Rio De Janeiro radio stations and discover some charismatic and talented personalities that the city loves to listen to.

• Antonio Carlos - Known as "O Poeta" or the Poet, Carlos is a beloved radio personality known for his soothing voice and poetic style. He is a morning show veteran hosting shows like Rádio Globo for many years, engaging listeners with music, and insightful conversations.
• Adelzon Alves – With a background in music production Alves has had a successful radio station career hosting programs that focused on Brazilian music, especially samba and choro. His knowledge and passion for music made him a respected figure in the radio industry.
• Mauricio Menezes – A talented and charismatic radio station personality in Rio with a talent for witty comedy. With his quick wit and humorous style, he has entertained listeners with his engaging talk shows and comedic segments.
• Garcia Junior – Another talented veteran of Rio’s radio station scene is Garcia Junior. He has worked for various radio stations in Rio de Janeiro, engaging listeners with his humour, interviews with celebrities, and audience interaction segments.
• Carol Ribeiro - Carol Ribeiro is a radio host and presenter known for her versatile skills and engaging personality. She has hosted programs that cover a wide range of topics, including music, entertainment, and lifestyle. Her radio experience is a highly interactive one as she encourages the audience to speak their minds.

These are just a few popular personalities behind the microphones of radio stations in Rio. There are many other talented individuals that you can find on Live Radio Stations for free.

Additional Information for Visitors to Rio De Janeiro

As we mentioned, there is plenty to see in Rio De Janeiro besides just experiencing the radio station scene. If Rio’s radio has inspired you to visit this thriving city, let us give you a few attractions to look out for. Here are some popular music events, landmarks, and restaurants.

Music Events:

• Rock in Rio: One of the world's largest music festivals featuring both local and international artists and genres.
• Rio Music Carnival: Dance and enjoy Rio’s music in a carnival setting.
• Rio Montreux Jazz Festival: Inspired by the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival, this event showcases the many forms and flavours of jazz music.

Landmarks:

• Christ the Redeemer: Located atop Corcovado Mountain.
• Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar): A stunning overlook of the city.
• Copacabana Beach: Beautiful sandy shores beloved worldwide.
• Tijuca National Park: Breathtaking natural resort. 
• Maracanã Stadium: World-recognized football stadium.

Restaurants:

• Aprazível: Offers a delightful regional dining experience with its beautiful garden setting and panoramic views.
• Bar Urca: Located in the Urca neighbourhood, Bar Urca is known for its seafood dishes, casual atmosphere, and stunning views of Guanabara Bay.
• Churrascaria Palace: A traditional Brazilian steakhouse serving grilled meats since 1951.

We hope you have enjoyed our coverage of Rio De Janeiro. This is definitely one of the more unique radio station scenes in the world. If you are interested in learning more, check out our countries and cities sections where we explore the radio scene for each region. All the stations you listen to on our website are absolutely free.