https://www.sonos.com/en-us/guides/sonosvoicecontrol#

It will only work for a music service supported by Sonos voice control - see the above link. It is these services - Sonos Radio, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, and Pandora.

I found it will continue playing a BBC radio station if it was already playing by saying “Hey Sonos play music” if it had been playing a station and then stopped.

Thank you for the prompt response Stuart. Unfortunately that does not work. What I find odd is that Alexa has played radio, tunes from my Apple account and Amazon music for some years since I purchased the Sonos One. Now, as I have said earlier the radio program or tune is introduced but then nothing. The only change that has been made is the enforced move from BT WIFI router to an EE router. (The ‘ONE’ recognises the new network despite apparently not needing a password!)

Missed from the above ‘Hey Sonos’ responds with ‘Radio 5 live’ is not recognised.

I suppose I should clarify I set up the Sonos voice assistant. Not tried it with Alexa. When I tested before I posted I tried saying “Radio 5 live” and “BBC radio 5 live” . I did get various responses from Sonos but it never did play anything. I have had it occasionally play something from who knows where but no the radio station I’d requested.

https://support.sonos.com/en/services/bbc-sounds
 

When I ask Alexa to play BBC Radio 5 Live it says it will start it from TuneIn but nothing is heard and the playback stops. The station is selected on the speaker but stops.
 

When I manually start it via Sonos Radio, TuneIn (New) or myTuner Radio, it will play the jingle but then outputs along the lines of: “unfortunately due to rights restrictions we are not able to bring you the current sports commentary on this platform…”

Are you in a location where it should work? If you start it manually from the Sonos app, does it play ok?

Have you added it to Sonos favorites?

I use both Alexa and Sonos voice control. I had a station in Sonos favorites and Alexa correctly plays it but Sonos voice control plays a different station with the exact same name. I’m guessing Alexa looks up my Sonos favorites. So, if you already haven’t I’d add that station to Sonos favorites.

I am in York, UK and as I said above I have had no issues for a number of years. Only after changing WIFI have the problems started. The station will play from the Sonos app. 

Did the BBC not remove all it’s content from TuneIn and placed it on BBC Sounds?

I think you are right. At least a year ago there was this post saying it:

Hi @Grierson 

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

Sorry to hear of this issue you are having with playing BBC Radio to your Sonos One with Alexa.

As mentioned, the BBC have removed their services from TuneIn (and, as a result, Sonos Radio too), so the BBC Sounds skill must be added to Alexa before a voice command can be given to play BBC Radio. Sonos Voice Control cannot currently play BBC Sounds feeds for this same reason.

I suspect the issue you’re having can be fixed quite easily - please open the Alexa app and go to More » Skills & Games » Your Skills » Sonos » Disable. Once done, tap Enable to Use.

I hope this helps.

Many thanks Corry. I have done just that and I now have BBC Radio back. John

Hi @Grierson 

Fantastic! Thanks for updating the thread!