Live radio is broadcast audio without delay. It started as early as 1630, when this technology was first used. Back then, people would listen to live concerts, late comedy shows, serious news programs, and political talk on radio like they do on television today. These early radios operated through a cord plugged into an earpiece and speakers. A continuous tuning process was necessary because the transmission received from each station was very different. This type of radio is called analog because it uses an analog signal like a radio.

Today, live radio broadcasting has changed dramatically. It was made available to CDS and via live online radio online. Streaming means that the audio or live broadcast can be played immediately without having to wait for it to be transmitted over the air. The upside is that audiences didn't miss a single word of the comedy or the short story as it happened.