News from BBC regarding BBC Sounds and Shoutcast streams

  • 3 November 2022
  • 54 replies
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S
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This would likely apply only to the UK … unless you use a vpn to get BBC Sounds on Sonos.  

Currently in the USA you can listen to the BBC Radio stations via TuneIn.

And not sure that BBC Sounds in the UK on Sonos uses Shoutcast…. but thought i would post it for general information

I heard the announcement today after a news program. 

the link below is on the BBC website 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/help/questions/recent-changes-to-bbc-sounds/shoutcast-closure

 

The BBC uses several streaming technologies to deliver BBC Sounds. If you are hearing a message informing of this change, you are listening using Shoutcast. The BBC will stop supporting Shoutcast by mid-2023. 

Why are we making these changes? 

Shoutcast is an older streaming technology and many connected radio devices in the UK no longer use it. Ending support for Shoutcast will enable us to focus on the two most popular technologies currently used – HLS and DASH. As well as delivering better value, it will allow us to understand more on how our content is consumed. This forms part of our strategy for BBC Sounds and is important to help us improve the services we offer to our listeners.  

We informed manufacturers and other service providers of this change in May 2022. 

I hear the message – what should I do? 

If you are using an internet radio or smart speaker, please contact the manufacturer. It might be possible for the device to be updated to use another of our supported streams.  

If you can hear the message when listening to BBC services via the web or mobile phone, please listen on BBC Sounds instead. 

Other ways to listen to BBC Sounds on a Hi-Fi 

There are multiple ways to listen to BBC Sounds on your Hi-Fi. If you hear the message when listening on your Hi-Fi, please contact your manufacturer. Additionally, you might find our FAQ useful – How can I get BBC Sounds on my Hi-Fi?

 

 

 

Corry P 5 months ago

Hi All

I have an update:

The BBC are making changes to the way they distribute BBC radio services.  We recommend that if you are listening in the UK you add the BBC Sounds content service to your Sonos app for continued uninterrupted listening. If you are not in the UK we recommend you install the BBC Sounds app on your mobile and cast to your Sonos device. For further information please see here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/help/questions/recent-changes-to-bbc-sounds/shoutcast-closure

The BBC are removing all of their content from TuneIn (and therefore Sonos Radio) in mid-2023 - although they are switching to different technologies, they are not doing so on TuneIn, which contradicts the assumption I now realise I made. My apologies for any confusion. 

To be clear, if you are outside the UK, then the only ways to play BBC content will be through the BBC Sounds app for your smartphone or tablet - this can then be sent to Sonos via AirPlay, Bluetooth or Line-In, if you have compatible players - or with the Alexa BBC Sounds skill which will also work, and play on Sonos, but multiroom playback will not be supported.

UK listeners should add BBC Sounds to their Sonos system.

I realise this will not be what many of you wanted to hear, but I can only recommend feeding back to the BBC - this is not under our control.

 

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Southern Gal

54 replies

S
Userlevel 3
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I set this up tonight and it works beautifully … Thank you to the geniuses who created this.

 

Southern Gal
C
Userlevel 3
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Hi,

just to confirm, if you are in the UK then nothing will change in terms of access to BBC streams - you can access all live and on-demand content via the BBC Sounds on Sonos integration.

Outside the UK, where BBC Sounds on Sonos is not currently available, you’ll be able to get BBC streams (HLS) via TuneIn but possibly not via some other aggregators who can’t move off Shoutcast. The Shoutcast streams will stop working in June.

(for info, I work on BBC Sounds)

BBC Sounds
S
Userlevel 3
Badge +7

Hi,

just to confirm, if you are in the UK then nothing will change in terms of access to BBC streams - you can access all live and on-demand content via the BBC Sounds on Sonos integration.

Outside the UK, where BBC Sounds on Sonos is not currently available, you’ll be able to get BBC streams (HLS) via TuneIn but possibly not via some other aggregators who can’t move off Shoutcast. The Shoutcast streams will stop working in June.

(for info, I work on BBC Sounds)

A few months ago, one of the SONOS members here wrote this 

“The BBC are removing all of their content from TuneIn (and therefore Sonos Radio) in mid-2023 - although they are switching to different technologies, they are not doing so on TuneIn”

What you wrote contradicts that…  

So to be clear 

The statement below : is it true or false?

TuneIn in the US will continue to have BBC Radio stations available to select via the TuneIn Service on the Sonos app

Would you be able to confirm that statement? 

Thank you!

Southern Gal
C
Userlevel 3
Badge +1

That statement is correct

BBC Sounds

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