Recent changes to �鶹�� Sounds

Can I listen to �鶹�� podcasts on Google platforms (including Google Home and YouTube Music)?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:47:48 +0000

Can I listen to �鶹�� podcasts on Google platforms (including Google Home and YouTube Music)?

The �鶹�� requires platforms (such as Google’s Assistant) to meet certain conditions for �鶹�� content to be available on their services. We seek to make our content as accessible to audiences as possible, but until it can be made available in a way that meets our Terms of Use and the �鶹��’s Distribution Policy, certain �鶹�� content will be unavailable through specific Google products.

What is affected?

Listeners will have difficulty accessing �鶹�� podcasts via the YouTube Music app (Google Podcasts) and they will not be able to directly access �鶹�� podcasts via the Google Assistant (Google Home).

Where can listeners go instead?

Our podcasts are available on the free �鶹�� Sounds app and website. Listeners using Google Home can continue to access �鶹�� podcasts by casting from the �鶹�� Sounds app or, if using a laptop, the �鶹�� Sounds website on the Chrome browser.

Are any other podcast services affected by this change?

No. This only affects Google.

Anonymous (not verified) 03 October 2019

Changes to �鶹�� Radio on TuneIn

Anonymous — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 15:45:02 +0000

Changes to �鶹�� Radio on TuneIn

The �鶹��’s live radio streams are no longer available via TuneIn on the following platforms in the UK.

The �鶹��’s radio stations can be accessed on the �鶹�� Sounds website and apps for Android and iOS devices, which also let you play programmes on a wide range of speakers via wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, Chromecast and Apple AirPlay. This change occurred in August 2019.

If you have Amazon Echo speakers or many other devices which support Alexa, you can listen to �鶹�� radio stations via the �鶹��’s Alexa skill. And, if you have a Google Home device, you can listen to �鶹�� stations using either Chromecast or your voice. �鶹�� stations can also be accessed on digital TV platforms and DAB digital radio.

There are a number of older audio devices that offer an internet radio service powered by TuneIn which will not currently be affected by this change.

Devices affected by this change:

Acoustics Solutions Alexa

Alexa + Sonos Integration

AlexaPartner_ID2

AlexaPartner_ID3

Altec Lansing Alexa

Amazon Echo

Anker Alexa

Ask.com PopOut Player

Asset UPnP

Audio Pro Alexa

Azatom Alexa

BlackBerry 10

Blaupunkt Alexa

Bose SoundTouch Alexa

Bush Alexa B100ALF

Calix Alexa

CKY CK315 Alexa

Dell PC Stage

DOSS Fabriq Chorus Alexa

Drool Radio

DTS PlayFi Alexa

Easy Dok Alexa

Ecobee Alexa

Energy Alexa

Facebook Portal Alexa

Ford Alexa Beta

Frontier Silicon Alexa

Garmin Speak Alexa

GE Lighting Sol Alexa

GGMM Alexa

HAMA Alexa

Harman Kardon Alexa

Hisense Alexa

HoMedics JAM Alexa

HomeRadio

Hubble Verve Life Alexa

Ibox Alexa

iHome + Sleep

iHome Alexa

iHome App

iLive Alexa

iLuv Speaker Alexa

Invoxia Triby Alexa

Kitsound Voice One Alexa

Lenovo Smart Assistant Alexa

Livio Car iPhone

Livio Car Pro Android

Lobkin Eson Alexa

Logitech UE Boom Alexa

Magnavox Alexa

Marshall Alexa

Meidong Dida Alexa

Meridian-Sooloos

Mindspark PopOut Player

MK Rhythm speaker Alexa

Muse Speak Music Alexa

Music Man Alexa

Navvo Voco

Netgear Alexa

Nucleus Alexa

Omars Dogo Alexa

OnVocal Headset Alexa

P&T Luxembourg

Panasonic VIERA IPTV

Philips Fidelio iOS

Phorus Reference Design DTS Alexa

Polaroid Alexa PWF1001 1002

Riva Alexa

Roav Anker Alexa

Samsung A/V

Samsung Alexa

Samsung Refrigerator

SEAT Arona Alexa

Sharper Image Alexa

SK Telecom

Sony Alexa

Sony Audio

Sooloos on HP

Sound United Denon HEOS Alexa

SoundBot Alexa

SoundLogic Buddy Alexa

Spark Radio

streamunlimited

Sylvania Alexa

Tibo Alexa

TuneIn Android

TuneIn Blackberry Free

TuneIn Blackberry Pro

TuneIn iOS

TuneIn Nokia Qt

TuneIn Palm

TuneIn Pro Nook Color

TuneIn Samsung

TuneIn TV (tv.tunein.com)

TuneIn Windows 8

TuneIn Windows Phone

TuneIn Windows Phone 8

TuneIn Yahoo VIZIO

TuneIn.com

Tunein.com Embed

Twitter

Westinghouse-Element TV Alexa

Windows 10

Anonymous (not verified) 06 October 2019

Why can I no longer listen to �鶹�� live Radio (Shoutcast)?

Sarah.Smith — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 09:19:50 +0000

Why can I no longer listen to �鶹�� live Radio (Shoutcast)?

If you can no longer play �鶹�� live radio on your internet radio device, it is likely it was using the Shoutcast streaming technology, which the �鶹�� no longer supports. We will continue to support �鶹�� live radio online using HLS and DASH streaming technologies which will be available to the �鶹��’s distribution partners.

Why did Shoutcast support end?

Shoutcast is an older streaming technology and many connected radio devices in the UK no longer use it for �鶹�� streams. Ending support for Shoutcast will enable us to focus on the two most popular technologies currently used – HLS and DASH. This will allow us to understand more about how and where our content is consumed and will help us improve the services we offer to our listeners. Manufacturers and radio aggregators were notified of the changes in May 2022. We also played a message informing of the changes on all �鶹�� Shoutcast streams since November last year.

Can I get �鶹�� live radio back on my Internet Radio device?

Please contact your manufacturer if you have lost �鶹�� live radio to check if your device can be updated. If this is not possible, you still might be able to use the device by streaming live �鶹�� radio from the �鶹�� Sounds app on a smartphone or tablet (Bluetooth, Airplay or Chromecast).

For other ways of adapting a device to listen to �鶹�� Sounds, please read our FAQ: How can I get �鶹�� Sounds on my Hi-Fi?

What about �鶹�� World Service?

�鶹�� World Service will continue to be available using Shoutcast outside of the UK.

Sarah.Smith 01 November 2022

Changes to live �鶹�� radio streams

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 14:00:02 +0000

Changes to live �鶹�� radio streams

We are making changes to how we support internet radio streams. If you listen via �鶹�� Sounds (or a device that is listed on the Sounds help site) you will not be affected, but if you use a third-party app, an internet radio or bespoke device, these changes may affect you.

Why are you making these changes?

The �鶹�� must do everything reasonable to ensure that UK listeners are able to access the public services that are intended for them, in a range of convenient and cost-effective ways. We also must ensure that third-parties are able to meet �鶹�� requirements including prominence, which helps listeners to find content we’ve made for them, and sharing of data, which helps us understand what people are listening to, which in turn helps us improve our content and services. At the same time, it’s important we make sure that third-parties do not use our streams without permission in non-compliant ways, like serving advertisements around our radio services for example. As such, we will start restricting access to our radio streams. They will only be available to third parties that meet �鶹�� requirements.

We recently applied this change to nations and local radio stations. On 3 October 2023, this change was rolled out to all our national �鶹�� stations.

We notified device manufacturers, where possible, in May 2022 and have been working with them to minimise the impact to listeners.

Access to �鶹�� radio has ended for some additional non-compliant third parties in 2024.

What should I do if I lose �鶹�� radio on my device or app?

If using a third-party app, use �鶹�� Sounds instead. If you are using an internet radio device, please contact the manufacturer as it’s possible services could be made available again on your device. Unfortunately, it’s not practicable for the �鶹�� to grant access to devices that are no longer supported by the manufacturer. However, you might still be able to use the device by streaming live �鶹�� radio from the �鶹�� Sounds app on a smartphone or tablet (Bluetooth, Airplay or Chromecast).

For other ways of adapting a device to listen to �鶹�� Sounds, please read our FAQ: How can I get �鶹�� Sounds on my Hi-Fi?

We are unable to grant access to individual users and suggest you use �鶹�� Sounds instead.

Can I check if my device will be affected?

Unfortunately, we are unable to advise on specific devices. Please contact your manufacturer to find out if your device will be affected. If your device does not support protected HLS and DASH streaming technologies, which is how we will distribute radio streams online, please listen via �鶹�� Sounds, or consider adapting the device. For example, using Bluetooth to play radio from the �鶹�� Sounds app on your smartphone.

What about �鶹�� World Service?

Access to �鶹�� World Service will not be restricted.

Further Information for 3rd party providers

Please visit: Information for 3rd parties regarding changes to �鶹�� Live radio streaming

Anonymous (not verified) 20 July 2023

Information for third parties regarding changes to �鶹�� Live radio streaming

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 13:10:02 +0000

Information for third parties regarding changes to �鶹�� Live radio streaming

This information is for third party providers. If you are a �鶹�� radio listener, please visit: Changes to live �鶹�� radio streams.

The work the �鶹�� is undertaking is being done to ensure that the distribution of �鶹�� live radio streams meets the conditions of the �鶹�� distribution policy and in particular delivers value for audiences. We believe that accessing content through �鶹�� Sounds provides audiences with the best experience. It offers a convenient and cost-effective way of accessing all of the �鶹��’s audio content across a wide range of devices. In addition, on �鶹�� 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 �鶹�� 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 �鶹�� 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 �鶹�� radio within web and mobile aggregator streaming apps will no longer be possible, however audiences will be able to access all �鶹�� audio content on the �鶹�� Sounds mobile and web applications. There may be instances of �鶹�� radio being accessed via aggregator apps, but playback of the radio streams will take place with the �鶹�� Sounds product, as per the existing Radioplayer mobile app solution.

b) Where audiences are using internet radio/connected devices that do not have �鶹�� Sounds available we are working with third parties to minimise disruption to audiences. We will endeavour to maintain existing integrations of �鶹�� 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 �鶹��’s obligations under the �鶹�� Distribution Policy, including ensuring our streams are not used in non-compliant ways.

In these instances, alternate solutions for accessing �鶹�� radio will remain available to audiences – the �鶹�� Sounds application for mobile and web will remain unchanged, and for connected internet radio devices users will be able to tether �鶹�� Sounds to their devices using Bluetooth, AirPlay or Chromecast. Alternatively �鶹�� 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 �鶹��’s carriage team.

Anonymous (not verified) 12 September 2023

Changes to live �鶹�� Radio on Radioplayer

Anonymous — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 12:50:03 +0000

Changes to live �鶹�� Radio on Radioplayer

From late January 2023, the way you listen to live �鶹�� Radio programmes will change.

On the Radioplayer mobile app, when you click to play a programme, you will be taken to the �鶹�� Sounds app or website to listen to it.

We’re making this change because we want listeners to have the best experience listening to our radio, and to get the best value from the licence fee. By using �鶹�� Sounds, you will get even more relevant �鶹�� programmes recommended to you, based on your tastes and preferences as well as personalised features, such as the ability to pause and pick up from where you left off on multiple devices, as well as being able to pause and rewind live radio.

Does this affect me if I listen on another third party service?

Yes. In addition to Radioplayer, we are working with other third parties to make the necessary changes, where possible, to link to �鶹�� Sounds for playback of �鶹�� radio stations. The following points provide more guidance to listeners using other third party services to listen to �鶹�� Radio.

What if I’m using a mobile to listen to �鶹�� radio on a third-party service and I don’t have the Sounds app installed?

The link from the third-party service will open the mobile web version of �鶹�� Sounds. You will be able to navigate through content, but will need to be signed in to your �鶹�� account before you can play any programmes or live streams.

What if I’m using a computer?

The link from the third-party service will open the web version of �鶹�� Sounds. You will be able to navigate through content, but will need to be signed in to your �鶹�� account before you can play any programmes or live streams.

What if I’m listening on a device that doesn’t support Sounds?

We are working with third-parties to try and ensure you can continue to listen to your chosen piece of �鶹�� content in their service.

�鶹�� Sounds is available on my device, but I’m not being linked from a third-party service for playback of �鶹�� content.

Where possible, we are working with third-parties to implement a solution and expect changes to happen during 2023. There will be some examples of where a solution with a third-party is not reached. As an alternative you will be able to sign in to �鶹�� Sounds on your device to access to all �鶹�� audio content.

What about �鶹�� podcasts?

�鶹�� podcasts will continue to be made available from within our partner services.

Anonymous (not verified) 24 September 2023

Transcript and Subtitling trial on �鶹�� Sounds

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 14:20:02 +0000

Transcript and Subtitling trial on �鶹�� Sounds

We have begun a trial to see if we can use software to help generate subtitles and transcripts for programmes and podcasts on �鶹�� Sounds, and to find out how well it works.

At first, we will be adding subtitles and transcripts to a few select programmes; they will be available when listening on demand (catch-up) on �鶹�� Sounds via a web browser and later in the trial will also be on the Android and Apple �鶹�� Sounds apps. If all goes well, we plan to bring more programmes into the trial as it progresses.

A producer will be checking the transcripts before they are published to make sure they’re accurate. So, there may be a delay between the programme first being made available and the subtitles and transcripts appearing.

Since this is a trial, there is no need to report any errors you might spot. We will be closely assessing the accuracy of the text.

How to enable subtitles and view transcripts

There will be a subtitle icon in the media player that can be selected when subtitles are available, just like on �鶹�� iPlayer.

The media player on the browser version of Sounds:

The media player on the Sounds app:

What programmes will be included in the trial?

We will be starting the trial with the following programmes, and we’ll be adding more content throughout the duration of the trial:

How can I find out more about the trial?

To find out more about the trial, have a look at the following page: Using Gen AI to add subtitles on �鶹�� Sounds

Anonymous (not verified) 02 October 2024

Why am I presented with �鶹�� Audio instead of �鶹�� Sounds in the UK?

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 13:35:03 +0000

Why am I presented with �鶹�� Audio instead of �鶹�� Sounds in the UK?

If you live in the UK and no longer see links to �鶹�� Sounds on our website, it’s likely because you are using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). This would result in being directed to the bbc.com website, intended for international users, rather than bbc.co.uk, which serves our UK audience.

If you disable your VPN, you should be redirected back to bbc.co.uk, and the links to Sounds will be restored.

If you are not using a VPN, please check the following page for further guidance: Why do you think I'm outside the UK?

Anonymous (not verified) 18 February 2025

What is the new playback experience on the website?

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 11:25:02 +0000

What is the new playback experience on the website?

The new Persistent Player allows you to continue listening to your favourite show or live stream while browsing the �鶹�� Sounds area of the �鶹�� website.

Where can I see what's playing?

When you start listening to a programme or live stream, it will appear at the bottom of the screen in a playback bar.

While you browse the �鶹�� Sounds website, whether that’s looking at the episode information, schedules or exploring the homepage, your current programme or live stream will show in this bar at the bottom of the page.

How do I control playback?

The minimised player offers full playback and navigation tools, allowing you to control the content as you browse the site.

If the full controls aren't showing, it's likely that you're using the website on a mobile or tablet, or that you're using a computer with the screen zoomed/magnified. The following page will help: Why can't I see the play controls on the website?

You can play and pause, adjust the volume, navigate through the programme or live stream, and adjust the speed of playback using the on-screen buttons.

The play queue icon will show what is coming up next, either in the schedule when listening live, or subsequent episodes when you're listening on demand.

When available, clicking the speech bubble icon will display a transcript of the show on the right. This will also remain on screen while you browse the site.

To find out more about playback controls on �鶹�� Sounds, check the following page: How do I fast forward, rewind, pause or play on �鶹�� Sounds?

What if I visit other areas of the site?

At the moment, the player is available when using the �鶹�� Sounds website. If you head to another area of the site, for example �鶹�� iPlayer or �鶹�� News, the playback will stop. However, when you return to �鶹�� Sounds, the playback bar will be available again, allowing you to continue from where you left off.

Can I easily get back to the episode or programme page?

Yes! Simply click on the programme or station name on the player to open up the episode information.

Anonymous (not verified) 29 October 2025