Worldwide FM

What Worldwide FM does

Worldwide FM is an independent global music radio platform founded in 2016 by broadcaster and DJ Gilles Peterson, operating from London with a global roster of international curators. The platform broadcasts live radio programming spanning jazz, electronic, dub, Afrobeat, Latin, folk, psychedelic and world music from hosts in cities including Amsterdam, Chicago, London, Tokyo, Accra, and Sète, and maintains an on-demand archive organized by genre, host, series and location. Distribution occurs through the worldwidefm.net website, with supplementary video content on YouTube and a community-driven Discord server used for live chat during broadcasts.

The platform is built as a digital streaming radio product (live broadcasts plus an on-demand episode archive) layered with editorial long-form content and video productions, including themed series such as 'New Voices', 'Women Shaping Radio', 'Tealeaves', 'Breakfast Club Coco', and 'Worldwide Breakfast'. There is no dedicated mobile application; access is via the web player. The technology stack relies on Cosmic as the underlying CMS, with no proprietary AI, API, or SDK offerings disclosed.

Worldwide FM's commercial model is a single-tier consumer membership subscription at £6 per month, framed as supporting independent global radio. The company is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, no advertising business, no B2B contracts, and a headcount of 1-10 employees. Its primary customer segment is global music enthusiasts seeking curated, cross-cultural programming that mainstream commercial radio does not provide; go-to-market is community-led, leveraging Gilles Peterson's personal brand, the international host network, and social channels (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube) and Discord.

Name

Worldwide FM

Legal name

Worldwide FM

Website

https://worldwidefm.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Streaming

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Non-Interactive Digital Radio (Lean-Back Streaming) (MPAIACAB), Music & Audio Streaming Platforms (BPAMAJAC)

Keywords

• Online radio streaming
• Music streaming platform
• Global music radio
• Independent radio
• Music curation

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscription: Monthly subscription model at £6 per month supporting independent global radio. Members gain access to support the platform and keep independent radio alive.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Worldwide FM is a global music radio platform that broadcasts live DJ sets, curated shows, and interviews from international curators across multiple time zones and locations. The platform offers real-time streaming, an on-demand archive of recorded episodes, editorial content, and video productions. It operates on a membership subscription model at £6 per month to support independent global radio.

Product overview

Worldwide FM is a global music radio platform founded by Gilles Peterson, offering a unified streaming service combining live radio broadcasts and on-demand episode archives. The platform organizes content through distinct show series including New Voices (weekly innovative music discovery), Breakfast Club Coco (Tuesday morning Latin/Jazz sessions), Tealeaves (migration-themed music exploration), and Worldwide Breakfast (daily morning broadcasts). Content spans diverse genres including jazz, dub, electronic, Latin, Afrobeat, and world music. The platform operates on a membership subscription model at £6/month and supplements audio content with editorial articles and video productions. The service features international curators broadcasting from locations worldwide including London, Amsterdam, Chicago, Tokyo, and Sète.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Worldwide FM Live Stream Real-time streaming radio platform broadcasting live music shows, DJ sets, and interviews from global curators across multiple time zones and locations.
• On-Demand Episodes Archive of recorded shows and episodes available for on-demand listening, organized by genre, host, series, and location.
• Membership Subscription Paid membership program supporting independent global radio at £6 per month, providing access to exclusive content and supporting the platform's operations.
• Editorial Content Long-form articles and interviews including Studio Monkey Shoulder series covering underground music scenes globally.
• Video Content Video productions including session recordings, artist interviews, and documentary-style content available on the platform and YouTube.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• FIP (Radio France): French public radio station known for eclectic, genre-spanning music programming. Comparable in curatorial philosophy and global music focus, though it operates as an incumbent public broadcaster with significantly larger scale.
• Spotify: Global music streaming incumbent whose lean-back radio and curated playlists compete for the same listener attention as Worldwide FM. While operating at vastly different scale, Spotify represents the dominant substitute for time spent on independent radio.
• BBC Radio 6 Music: UK public service broadcaster focused on alternative, indie, and eclectic music with global genres. While much larger and publicly funded, it overlaps significantly with Worldwide FM's musical territory and audience, and Gilles Peterson is a long-standing BBC 6 Music broadcaster.

Direct peers

• NTS Radio: London-based independent online radio station with a similar model: community-driven, DJ-curated global music programming, live broadcasts, on-demand archive, and a global network of resident hosts. Directly comparable in audience, ethos, and format.
• Soho Radio: London-based independent online radio station with a diverse, community-curated format spanning music, talk, and culture. Comparable as a small-team, UK-headquartered independent internet radio.
• Dublab: Non-profit online community radio station broadcasting curated, eclectic programming from DJs worldwide. Directly comparable in its non-commercial, community-supported, global music discovery positioning.
• Boiler Room: Online music broadcasting platform built around DJ sets, live sessions, and global music discovery. Shares Worldwide FM's emphasis on international curators, video/live streaming, and tastemaker-led programming.
• Mixcloud: Audio platform hosting DJ mixes, radio shows, and podcasts from creators worldwide. Overlaps with Worldwide FM in hosting long-form curated music programming from independent DJs and broadcasters.
• Rinse FM: London-rooted pirate-turned-online radio station focused on underground electronic, grime, and DJ culture. Comparable as an independent, community-led internet radio platform with curated shows and a global listenership.
• KEXP: Seattle-based non-commercial radio station with a strong online streaming presence, global listener base, and emphasis on new and underground music discovery. Comparable mission and community-supported model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@WorldwideFM
• Facebookfacebook.com/worldwidefm
• Instagraminstagram.com/worldwide.fm
• Xx.com/worldwidefm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/worldwidefm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Worldwide FM