This information is for third party providers. If you are a Â鶹Éç radio listener, please visit: Changes to live Â鶹Éç radio streams.
The work the Â鶹Éç is undertaking is being done to ensure that the distribution of Â鶹Éç live radio streams meets the conditions of the Â鶹Éç distribution policy and in particular delivers value for audiences. We believe that accessing content through Â鶹Éç Sounds provides audiences with the best experience. It offers a convenient and cost-effective way of accessing all of the Â鶹Éç’s audio content across a wide range of devices. In addition, on Â鶹Éç Sounds we can help audiences discover other content we have made for them, as well as allowing us to provide personalisation, and offer recommendations etc.
On third party platforms and devices where Â鶹Éç Sounds is currently not available, we may be able to supply radio streams to those third parties where they are able to meet the reasonable conditions of the Â鶹Éç Distribution Policy - which are reflected in the criteria of our distribution agreement. By taking this approach, we aim to ensure that our reasonable conditions are met in a consistent way by third party carriage partners.
After the current changes have been implemented the following will apply:
a) Native playback of Â鶹Éç radio within web and mobile aggregator streaming apps will no longer be possible, however audiences will be able to access all Â鶹Éç audio content on the Â鶹Éç Sounds mobile and web applications. There may be instances of Â鶹Éç radio being accessed via aggregator apps, but playback of the radio streams will take place with the Â鶹Éç Sounds product, as per the existing Radioplayer mobile app solution.
b) Where audiences are using internet radio/connected devices that do not have Â鶹Éç Sounds available we are working with third parties to minimise disruption to audiences. We will endeavour to maintain existing integrations of Â鶹Éç radio streams where they are made available as part of a device’s native internet radio solution where that is compatible with our UK Public Service Distribution Policy conditions, and;
c) Directories and software solutions that enable individual users to directly access streams to add their connected devices will not be supported. This is for a range of reasons related to the Â鶹Éç’s obligations under the Â鶹Éç Distribution Policy, including ensuring our streams are not used in non-compliant ways.
In these instances, alternate solutions for accessing Â鶹Éç radio will remain available to audiences – the Â鶹Éç Sounds application for mobile and web will remain unchanged, and for connected internet radio devices users will be able to tether Â鶹Éç Sounds to their devices using Bluetooth, AirPlay or Chromecast. Alternatively Â鶹Éç stations will remain available on FM and DAB and, where possible, through native internet radio solutions.
Beginning in May 2022 we started communicating the changes to aggregators and device manufacturers, where we were aware they were using our streams.
Changes to the streams began on 6 September and were applied to Radio Shetland, Radio Orkney, and Radio Wales Extra. On the 19 September 2023 we rolled out this change to all other nations and local radio stations. On 26 September we changed Radio 2. On 3 October, we rolled out the change to our remaining national stations.
Enquiries from third party providers can be made by contacting the Â鶹Éç’s carriage team.