Radio was simple at the beginning.

The
very idea of broadcasting sound from one area to
another was a marvel in itself, uncomplicated by endless
types of frequencies, transmitters, programs, stations
and more.
Today, radio is much more sophisticated. Technology has
transformed radio broadcasting again and again. There are
many types of radio stations now, all with different types
of signals and purposes and legal status.
1.Internet radio/podcasts
Internet radio (also web radio, net radio, streaming
radio, e-radio, online radio, webcasting) is an audio
service transmitted via the Internet. Broadcasting on
the Internet is usually referred to as webcasting since
it is not transmitted broadly through wireless means.
Internet radio involves streaming media, presenting
listeners with a continuous stream of audio that
typically cannot be paused or replayed, much like
traditional broadcast media; in this respect, it is
distinct from on-demand file serving. Internet radio is
also distinct from podcasting, which involves
downloading rather than streaming.

Internet radio services offer news, sports, talk, and

various genres of music—every format that is available
on traditional broadcast radio stations. Many Internet
radio services are associated with a corresponding
traditional (terrestrial) radio station or radio network,
although low start-up and ongoing costs have allowed
a substantial proliferation of independent Internet-
only radio stations.

Internet radio is typically listened to on a standard

home PC or similar device, through an embedded
player program located on the respective station's
website. In recent years, dedicated devices that
resemble and offer the listener a similar experience to
a traditional radio receiver have arrived on the
market
2. Campus radio
Campus radio (also known as college radio, university
radio or student radio) is a type of radio station that is
run by the students of a college, university or other
educational institution. Programming may be
exclusively by students, or may include programmers
from the wider community in which the radio station
is based. Sometimes campus radio stations are
operated for the purpose of training professional radio
personnel, sometimes with the aim of broadcasting
educational programming, while other radio stations
exist to provide an alternative to commercial
broadcasting or government broadcasters.
Campus radio stations are generally licensed and
regulated by national governments, and have very
different characteristics from one country to the next.
campus radio has come to be associated with emerging
musical trends, including genres such as punk and
new wave, alternative rock, indie rock and hip hop,
long before those genres become part of the musical
mainstream. Campus radio stations also often provide
airplay and promotional exposure to new and
emerging local artists.
Many campus radio stations carry a variety of
programming including news (often local), sports
(often relating to the campus), and spoken word
programming as well as general music. Often the
radio format is best described as a freeform, with a lot
of creativity and individualism among the disc jockeys
and show hosts. A number of these radio stations have
gained critical acclaim for their programming and are
considered by the community in which they are
embedded to be an essential media outlet.

3. Private radio
FM broadcasting began on 23 July 1977 in Chennai,
then Madras, and was expanded during the 1990s,
nearly 50 years after it mushroomed in the US. In the
mid-nineties, when India first experimented with
private FM broadcasts, the small tourist destination of
Goa was the fifth place in this country of one
where private players got FM slots. The other four
centres were the big metro cities: Delhi, Kolkata,
Mumbai and Chennai. These were followed by stations
in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Lucknow.
Times FM (now Radio Mirchi) began operations in
1993 in Ahmedabad. Until 1993, All India Radio or
AIR, a government undertaking, was the only radio
broadcaster in India. The government then took the
initiative to privatize the radio broadcasting sector. It
sold airtime blocks on its FM channels in Indore,
Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Vizag and Goa
to private operators, who developed their own
program content. The Times Group operated its
brand, Times FM, till June 1998. After that, the
government decided not to renew contracts given to
private operators. In 2000, the government announced
the auction of 108 FM frequencies across India.
Radio City Bangalore, started on July 3, 2001, is
India's first private FM radio station. It launched with
presenters such as Rohit Barker, Darius Sunawala,
Jonzie Kurian and Suresh Venkat.
Indian policy currently states that these broadcasters
are assessed a One-Time Entry Fee (OTEF), for the
entire license period of 10 years. Under the Indian
accounting system, this amount is incresed over the
10-year period at 10% per annum. Annual license fee
for private players is either 4% of revenue share or
10% of Reserve Price, whichever is higher.

4. The National radio station Channel of All India Radio

located in Delhi broadcasts programmes which are heard
on Medium Wave and also on Short Wave. Started on
18th May 1988, this channel works as a night service
from 6.50 PM to 6.10 AM the next morning. Broadcasting
in Hindi, Urdu and English, the programme composition
of the channel has been designed to make it representative
of the cultural matter of the country.

5. The Regional Stations in different States form the

middle tier of broadcasting. They originate programmes
in the regional languages and dialects. Regional Channels
are located in the major linguistic-cultural region of every
state. 116 Regional Channels are spread over 29 states &
6 Union Territories including the North-Eastern Service at
Shillong that projects the vibrant cultural heritage of the
North-Eastern region of this country. The Regional
Channels, broadcast largely on the Medium Wave
frequency, follow a composite programme pattern
comprising of music - classical, light, folk and film, News
and Current Affairs, Radio plays,
features, Farm and Home programmes, programmes on
Health & Family Welfare and programmes for Woman,
Children etc.
6. Local Radio is relatively a newer concept of
broadcasting in India. Local radio stations serve small
communities, showcase local culture and broadcast area
specific programmes for the benefit of the community.
The transmission is in the FM mode. The programming is
flexible and spontaneous and the stations function as the
mouth piece of the local community. At present there are
86 Local Stations spread across the country.