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Did you know that most radio stations have an online counterpart that duplicates the live radio stream? Tuning in to your favorite radio station online provides a reliable way to listen to your favorite programs without any fussy dials. iOS 13 uses three services, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, and Radio.com, to bring over 100,00 stations to the iPhone. You can use Hey Siri to tune in to most larger public radio stations and even a few local stations. Here's how to listen to live radio with Hey Siri.
Related: How to Get Notified When a New Podcast Episode Comes Out
How to Play Your Favorite Radio Stations with Siri
- Find the names and call signs of local and national stations online through sites like Radiolineup.com.
- When you're ready to listen, say, "Hey, Siri. Play [station name or call sign]."
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- If the station you request is available, it will start to play using the Apple Music app. If that station isn't available, Siri will pick a different station with a similar call sign or with the same station number from a larger city. The smaller the station, the less likely it is that the station has an online stream.
Some national stations, like NPR, are available for free using this method, so it's definitely worth it to check! You can also play your favorite podcasts using this method, provided the podcast you want to play is in your subscription list. While this isn't the same as subscribing to a paid satellite radio service, it's a nice alternative to tuning and re-tuning the car radio on a long drive. So kick back and let Siri adjust the dials while you listen to your favorite programs.
