How to get your Internet radio stream listed on iTunes
So you want more listeners for your internet radio stream… And getting listed on iTunes seems like a great way to grow your audiense… But you can’t figure out how to submit your internet radio station? You’re not alone. Somehow a high-tech company like Apple still uses Excel spreadsheets to manage their Internet radio listings on iTunes!
1. Download iTunes submission spreadsheet
Go here: http://www.itunes.com/radiosubmission
2. Fill out the spreadsheet with the following information
Name:
The name of your internet radio stream.
Genre:
You must choose one of Apple’s presets and you can only choose 1 genre. Here they are:
- 70s Retro
- 80s Flashback
- 90s Hits
- Adult Contemporary
- Alternative Rock
- Ambient
- Blues
- Classic Rock
- Classical
- College/University
- Comedy
- Eclectic
- Electronica
- Golden Oldies
- Hard Rock / Metal
- Hip Hop / Rap
- International / World
- Jazz
- News / Talk Radio
- Reggae / Island, Religious
- RnB / Soul
- Sports Radio
- Top 40 / Pop
City/State:
Your city and state (or province)
Country:
Your 2-letter country code. Here’s a list of country codes.
Description:
A short description of your radio station
Explicit:
Stream contains explicit language. Yes or no.
Frequency:
Choose from the presets in the spreadsheet. The only option as of today is 23.
Your website
Approved:
Choose from the presets in the spreadsheet. The only option as of today is Yes.
Provider Contact Info:
Your personal information
- Contact name
- phone number
- iTunes Store login account / email address
Status:
Active or inactive (obviously you want to select Active!)
Strength:
Choose from the presets in the spreadsheet. The only option as of today is 45.
URL:
Your stream URL. If you’re a Zencast client, go to your stream control panel, go to the “quick links” page, and find the iTunes URL under “tune-in links”
Language:
Your internet radio stream language
Commercial:
Yes or no. Most of us will select “no” here, but
Bandwidth Kbps:
Your bitrate. iTunes only accepts 128kbps or more for MP3 streams. They will accept AAC+ streams of 64kbps for talk radio streams.
3. Send an email to the iTunes Radio team
Their email address is itunesradio@apple.com
The email should include:
- Subject line *exactly like this*: Station Submission: station name
- ex: Station Submission: Hits Radio
- Stream type: MP3, AAC, or AAC+
- 1400px X 1400px JPG or PNG cover image
- The spreadsheet you just filled out
Note that the email should come from the address listed in your spreadsheet.
4. Wait for iTunes
The process should take 5 business days
5. Watch your audience grow!
Have fun!