At High on Technology and for our band Mark King Radio, we live this every single day. Our Pirate Radio stream runs 24/7 using OBS Studio on a dedicated Mac. It’s how we test new songs, share unreleased tracks, play live sessions, and talk directly to fans without waiting for permission from traditional radio or streaming algorithms. And best of all — it’s 100% legal.
Why It’s Not Illegal (And Why That Matters)
True over-the-air pirate radio (broadcasting on FM/AM without a license) is still very much illegal in most countries, with heavy fines possible under laws like the U.S. PIRATE Act. But pure internet streaming is different. As long as you properly license your music (through ASCAP, BMI, SoundExchange, or similar) and follow the rules of your streaming platform, you’re operating a legitimate internet radio station.
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| Broadcast Your Pirate Stream from Anywhere |
We call ours “Pirate Radio” for the rebellious spirit — the freedom, the independence, the underground vibe — not because we’re breaking laws. It’s the digital evolution of those outlaw stations: giving independent artists a voice when the mainstream hasn't yet.
A Perfect Way to Test New Songs and Build Your Audience
For us at Mark King Radio, the stream has become an incredible testing ground. We drop new tracks, gauge real-time reactions in the chat, and get immediate feedback from listeners across the globe. It’s faster and more honest than waiting for Spotify playlist approval or radio adds.
Streaming puts your music in their pocket right now. People listen on phones while driving, working out, or chilling at home. Your song can become the soundtrack to their day — building real emotional connections that algorithms rarely deliver.
Anyone Can Do This — Yes, Even You
Running your own Modern Pirate Radio station is easier and cheaper than ever:
- Hardware: Dust off an older PC or Mac and let it run 24/7. Or use a new Apple Silicon Mac for super-efficient, silent operation.
- Software: OBS Studio (free) handles everything — audio mixing, scheduling, overlays, and streaming to platforms like Icecast, Shoutcast, or directly to YouTube/Twitch.
- Streaming host: Services like Live365, Radio.co, or even free/self-hosted options get your signal online.
You don’t need to be a tech wizard. With a few tutorials and an afternoon of setup, you can have a professional-sounding station broadcasting your music, podcasts, talks, or mixes around the clock.
Why Every Creative Professional (or Aspiring One) Should Start One
- Total creative control — Play what you want, when you want.
- Global reach — Your work is available 24/7 to anyone with an internet connection.
- Audience building — Direct fan interaction, email list growth, and merch sales.
- Discovery engine — Listeners find your new songs they’d never stumble across on big platforms.
- Portfolio piece — A live station shows you’re serious about your craft.
Whether you’re a musician, podcaster, DJ, spoken-word artist, or any kind of creator, your own station is a powerful calling card. It proves you can deliver consistent, high-quality content without relying on gatekeepers.
Get Started Today
At High on Technology, we believe in democratizing the airwaves. Modern Pirate Radio is one of the best tools available for independent creatives in 2026. It costs almost nothing to run, scales with your ambition, and keeps the rebellious spirit of radio alive in the internet age.
Fire up OBS, grab a spare computer, and start broadcasting. Your future fans are waiting — and they might have your song in their pocket right now.
What are you waiting for? Would you run your own internet radio station? What would you broadcast? Thanks for reading High on Technology, Good Music To You!
©April 2026 by Mark King, it's not ok to copy or quote without written permission from the author.
Originally published April 30 2026
