Listening to Nova Radio: five stations playing 24/7
Five Nova radio stations play around the clock: Rock FM, Lo-Fi FM, Jazz FM, World FM and Prime FM. How to tune in, what you hear and when to pick radio.
Nova Radio is five stations that play music from the Nova catalogue around the clock, with short hosted segments between songs. To listen, open Nova on the web, iPhone, iPad or Android, go to radio and choose a station: Rock FM, Lo-Fi FM, Jazz FM, World FM or Prime FM. Radio is free with a Nova account. This guide explains what each station is like, how radio differs from playlists and how to get the most out of it.
What is Nova Radio?
Each Nova station is a continuous stream. Instead of choosing songs one by one, you tune in and hear whatever is playing now, just as you would with a traditional radio station. The music comes from our own catalogue, and short hosted segments introduce songs and keep the station feeling alive. Because the stations play 24 hours a day, there is always something on, whether you open Nova at breakfast or after midnight.
Which stations are there?
| Station | What to expect | Good moments |
|---|---|---|
| Rock FM | Guitar-driven rock from the catalogue | Workouts, driving, getting things done |
| Lo-Fi FM | Soft, relaxed beats | Studying, focused work, winding down |
| Jazz FM | Jazz in its warmer and livelier forms | Cooking, reading, a quiet evening |
| World FM | Sounds and rhythms from different traditions | Exploring, background listening |
| Prime FM | Music from across the Nova catalogue | When you want to listen without choosing |
You can see the full list on the radio page.
How do I tune in?
- Open Nova in your browser or in the app and sign in with your free account.
- Go to the radio section.
- Choose a station. It starts playing from the current moment.
- Switch stations whenever you like; each one is always live.
On the website, each station has its own page explaining what it plays. To actually listen, open the station in Nova.
When is radio better than a playlist?
Playlists give you control: you know what is coming, and you choose every song. Radio gives you the opposite, and that is its strength. It is a good choice when:
- You are tired of deciding and just want music that fits a general mood.
- You want to discover artists and songs you would not have searched for.
- You prefer the feeling of a live station, with a voice between songs now and then.
- You are doing something that needs your attention and do not want to manage a queue.
Many people combine both. They listen to a station, like the songs that stand out and later add them to their own playlists. If you want to go deeper into a sound you heard on a station, the genres and moods pages, such as jazz, are a natural next step.
Can I skip songs or go back on the radio?
Radio is a live stream, so it plays in order for everyone who is tuned in. You cannot skip ahead or rewind a station the way you can with a playlist. If you want full control, play a playlist or an album instead. If you hear a song you love, like it so it is saved to your library.
Listening on different devices
Radio works on the web app, on iPhone and iPad and on Android. It needs an internet connection, since stations are live. Nova does not currently offer offline listening, so radio and all other playback require a connection.
Can I play Nova Radio in my shop or café?
Not with a free account. Free accounts are for personal listening only. If you want music for customers or staff, Nova Business is the service made for that: it includes the licence to play Nova music in public, along with business playlists curated by Nova. Read more on the Nova Business page.
Getting more from radio
- Try each station once at different times of day; the mood of a station can suit a moment you did not expect.
- Keep one station as your default for focus, and another for relaxing.
- Like songs as you hear them. Your library becomes a record of what you discovered on air.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nova Radio free? Yes. All five stations are free to listen to with a Nova account on the web, iPhone, iPad and Android.
Do Nova radio stations play all the time? Yes. Each station plays around the clock, 24 hours a day, with music from the Nova catalogue and short hosted segments.
Can I skip a song on a radio station? No. Stations are live streams. For full control over what plays, use a playlist or an album.
Does radio work without an internet connection? No. Radio streams live, and Nova does not offer offline listening.
