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Listen Live FAQs

The following are frequently asked questions about Classical WETA 90.9 FM's listen live stream. For additional help or to report a problem with the stream, please contact us.

Frequently asked questions

What does “live stream” mean?

The live stream is a continuous "stream" of digital audio that can be accessed over the Internet. For the most part, the live stream is identical to our on-air broadcast, so you will hear the same music and programs online as you do on a normal radio.

What streaming formats do you offer?

Classical WETA offers its live stream in two formats — Windows Media and MP3.

How do I listen online?

In order to listen to the stream, you will need a computer with an Internet connection, a sound card and headphones or speakers. You will also need a media player installed on your system that is capable of playing the Windows Media or MP3 format. Below is a list of popular players for each format:

  • Media players that play Windows Media streams:
    • Windows Media Player (usually already installed on computers running Windows)
    • Winamp
  • Media players that play MP3 streams:
    • Quicktime (usually already installed on computers running Mac OS)
    • iTunes
    • Real Player
    • Winamp

Most likely, your computer already has one or more of these media players already installed. If that's the case you can start listening to Classical WETA by clicking on the Listen Live links at the top of the Listen Live page. The stream should start playing immediately.

If your machine does not already have a compatible player installed, then download and install one from the list above. After restarting your computer, you should be ready to click on our Listen Live links.

Why does Classical WETA stream at 32kbps? Why not use a higher quality bit rate?

With the costs of bandwidth still relatively high, streaming is very expensive. We have opted to provide the stream at 32 kbps because we think that it is the best compromise between cost and sound quality, and will allow us to stream to more users while keeping our streaming costs under control.

Donations in support of our live stream are always appreciated.

I can’t hear anything. What should I do?

  • Check to see if a compatible media player for listening to our stream is installed on your computer. (See the list of popular compatible players above.)
  • If your media player opens when clicking on a live stream link but you still can't hear anything, check that your speakers are on and the volume is turned up.
  • If clicking on the live stream link doesn't automatically open a media player, then open your desired player yourself and copy and paste one of the following URLs into the location bar of the player.
  • If you are listening at work, your company may have a firewall enabled to securely protect its internal data. Sometimes your company's proxy settings may be set in such a way that they prevent external streaming sources from occurring. If this is the case, please contact the IT department of your company.
  • It's possible your computer isn't set up properly to handle the file types used by our streams. This can be the case if you have recently installed or upgraded your media players. Seek professional advice before making any changes to your system. WETA is not responsible for any changes you may decide to make to your computer set-up. These tips are intended as a guide only to help you diagnose problems you may be having.
  • If you are using a computer that is not connected to a firewall, read the help provided in your operating system concerning file type associations.)
    • To do this in Windows, go to Start > Help; click on the Search tab and type in "file type associations," click "List topics," select the relevant topic, and read the advice provided.
    • To do this in Mac OS, go to the Finder, select the document and choose File > Get Info. In the Info window, click to show the "Open with" pane. Choose the application you want to use from the pop-up menu. If you want all documents that have the same file type as this one to open with the same application, click Change All.
  • If all else fails, try reinstalling the player plugin (Windows Media, Quicktime, etc.). Please also visit these helpful resources for detailed installation instructions, set-up suggestions, upgrades and step-by-step guides for getting the best performance out of your media player:

How can I play your stream through iTunes?

After you open iTunes, go to Advanced > Open Stream. Copy and paste the following URL into the box and click OK: http://stream.weta.org:8000/listen.pls

Why does the stream sometimes stop for a while or stutter?

This may be due to Internet congestion, which can be more frequent at certain times of the day. Current streaming technology makes best efforts not to lose this information and holds or "buffers" it until the line is clear to receive further information. This is why there is sometimes a stuttering or delaying effect when receiving a stream.

Can I download the stream and listen to it later?

No. A live stream is not a downloadable file; it is a steady flow of data.

How can I contact WETA regarding streaming problems?

The reliability of our streams is extremely important to us. If you notice something awry with our stream, contact us to report a problem listening to Classical WETA online.

Please provide the following information: time the problem occurred, which particular format is affected (Windows Media or MP3), your computer OS (Windows XP, OSX, etc.), and a detailed description of the problem, including whether you are listening at work or at home and when the problem started or how long it has been occurring.