This article illustrates how, in Western Europe, the localism concept is a much more recent phenomenon (at least within the media realm) than it is in the U.S. McCain and Lowe explore the development of three types of local radio in Western Europe: national local radio (i.e., stations operated locally but part of a national public service institution), independent local radio (i.e., commercially financed, privately owned stations), and community radio (i.e., low-power FM stations licensed to serve specialized interest groups and small towns). The authors then examine the prospects for each form of radio (particularly in terms of their regulatory treatment) and their strengths and weaknesses for serving different types of audiences and communities.