English Radio Stations

When it comes to broadcasting languages, English radio stations are probably the most accessible ones for global audiences. They have played a significant role in the world of media since the 1920s when radio in English was used for communication and entertainment.

With the advancement of technology, radio began being accessible across the globe in many different languages too. But the English language became a dominant one internationally due to the majority of stations being based around it.

Whether it is radio stations in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, or other English-speaking countries, today there are over 30.000 stations broadcasting in this language. A lot of accessibility comes from the fact that most of the international music is actually in English. But you can also listen to numerous talk shows, news coverage formats, sports discussions, etc., in this language and radio stations using can be found across the world. 

English Radio Station Directory

The neat thing about learning English is that you can find radio stations that broadcast it even in countries that do not usually speak it. This means that you can hear it in cities and countries outside of the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Here are some of the most popular English radio stations across the world. 

• BBC Radio 1 (98.8-99.9 FM) - London, United Kingdom - BBC Radio 1 is a music radio station in English that features many genres including rock, pop, and electronic dance music. You can also find interviews with musicians and other celebrities as well as news coverage and talk shows.
• Voice of America - Washington, D.C., United States - Various Frequencies - A U.S. government-funded international radio broadcast service where you can listen to unbiased news, interesting documentaries and cultural programming.
• CBC Radio One - Toronto, Canada - Various Frequencies – An English-broadcast radio station based in Canada offering news, talk shows, documentaries, and a music program.
• ABC Radio National - Sydney, Australia - Various Frequencies – A popular news coverage option from Australia that also features talk shows, documentaries, and cultural programming.
• South African Broadcasting Corporation - Johannesburg, South Africa - Various Frequencies – A popular English-broadcasting option from South Africa that broadcasts documentaries, talk shows, and educational and cultural programming about South Africa. 

As you can see there are numerous options across the globe for English-broadcasting radio stations for whatever format you wish. From music to talk shows and cultural programming you can find pretty much any format you want.

Top 3 Featured Programs and Personalities

When it comes to English radio stations, there are a lot of options when it comes to famous personalities and great radio shows. We wanted to outline some popular options but feel free to explore for yourself and find other great talk show hosts. Here are some of our favorites.

• SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show – Howard Stern is a veteran of the show business and radio industry and has even been a judge on “America’s Got Talent”. He hosts the Howard Stern Show on SiriusXM which features his irreverent humour, insightful interviews, and controversial content. His unique hosting and interviewing style has pushed the boundaries and made him a cultural icon. There are many segments to his show from song parodies to comedy so you will surely find something you like.
• BBC Radio 2’s The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show – If you are a UK radio fan you have probably heard of the charismatic and talented Zoe Ball. She is a highly regarded radio personality and the first female presenter of the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show. Her current version of the Breakfast Show features a mix of music genres, news, interviews, and discussions on various topics from current affairs to entertainment news.
• KIIS FM’s On Air With Ryan Seacrest – If you like American Idol you have probably heard of its host Ryan Seacrest, a master of both the radio and Television industry. He is one of the most popular and influential radio personalities in the United States. On Air With Ryan Seacrest mimics his humour and style featuring various segments from news to entertainment. The show also has different parts to it like “Tell Me Something Good” which highlights positive news from around the world.

These radio personalities and programs are just some of our favorite in the industry but there are many more great ones out there to explore and experience.

English Radio News and Reviews

All of us want to stay up to date on the latest news happening around the world. That is why we wanted to showcase some radio stations in English that broadcast daily news. One of the first ones that comes to mind is the National Public Radio (NPR) station from the US. It is a non-profit media organization that distributes news and discusses them. Their segments like “The Morning Edition” or “All Things Considered” are broadcast all over the US.

For Europe, there is the popular BBC Radio 4, a national radio station owned and operated by BBC that broadcasts current news. They also discuss current international affairs so you can stay up to date. ABC Radio National from Australia does a similar format covering national and international news stories in-depth. 

Additionally, CBC Radio One from Canada is a station operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that also broadcasts international news. Their program “The World At Six” covers a wide range of world news topics with non-biased commentary. 

Overall, as you can see, there are plenty of options for news and world affairs when it comes to the English language.

English Radio Resources

Finally, for those new to the English language or simply wanting to improve, listening to English radio stations is a great way to practice. All of the stations listed above include a programming where you can seemlessly tune in and learn. We especially recommend radio stations in English that include some form of educational programming or documentaries. 

That said, here are some additional resources you can use to learn English online.

• Duolingo: A mobile learning app that offers gamified lessons for the English language with entertaining encouragement notifications.
• Rosetta Stone: An immersive language learning software that sparks creativity and productivity.
• Memrise: If vocabulary and grammar are your focus, Memrise offers an excellent course in a variety of languages.
• FluentU: If you want a more authentic approach, FluentU uses real-life videos and interactive subtitles to teach English.
• italki: A language exchange program that connects learners with native speakers from all over the world for friendly and entertaining conversation practice.
• Coursera: Coursera features numerous subjects where you can learn and improve including English.

Live Radio Stations offers a vast array of English radio stations for free. You can find various formats from music and entertainment to news and educational programming. Feel free to browse around and enjoy.