Chromatic Producer I

News from BBC regarding BBC Sounds and Shoutcast streams

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
November 3, 2022
64 replies
5091 views

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?

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Pinned Reply By Corry P

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.

Show previous replies

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Notanothername

Trending Lyricist I

Hi John

Have just tried that and succeeded.

Does that mean I always have to start up the Roam first?

N

Notanothername

Trending Lyricist I

And do I always have to have Bluetooth active on my phone in order to listen?

J

John B

Bluetooth needs to be on while you are using it. I think it would probably be most robust if you connect to the Roam first then group other speakers to it, but I haven’t tried this. You will have to experiment, but at least you have a method that you know works.

N

Notanothername

Trending Lyricist I

Thank you very much for your help, John

I’ll try that.

I’d still prefer to just tap the speaker to listen though - have got lazy.

N

Notanothername

Trending Lyricist I

Just an update John, and to thank you for your tips.

I realise it doesn’t work for me getting Sounds on phone (that bit is easy, but not great sound) then to use bluetooth e to find Roam and then sync to other Sonos speakers.

It’s not what I bought 4 Sonos products for - BBC radio was one of the main reasons.

I sincerely hope Sonos will find a way of providing BBC radio to the wider community.

controlav

Lead Maestro

Just an update John, and to thank you for your tips.

I realise it doesn’t work for me getting Sounds on phone (that bit is easy, but not great sound) then to use bluetooth e to find Roam and then sync to other Sonos speakers.

It’s not what I bought 4 Sonos products for - BBC radio was one of the main reasons.

I sincerely hope Sonos will find a way of providing BBC radio to the wider community.

Just add BBC Sounds to your Sonos system. It works fine in the USA, though you might need to temporarily switch your Sonos account to UK to add it.

Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.

S

southern galAuthor

Chromatic Producer I

Just an update John, and to thank you for your tips.

I realise it doesn’t work for me getting Sounds on phone (that bit is easy, but not great sound) then to use bluetooth e to find Roam and then sync to other Sonos speakers.

It’s not what I bought 4 Sonos products for - BBC radio was one of the main reasons.

I sincerely hope Sonos will find a way of providing BBC radio to the wider community.

Yes this move by the BBC is extremely upsetting for me. I have listened to BBC Radio 3 and 4 and 4x for decades. I listen to BBC News in the morning (its the mid day news show) and then The Archers right after - its how i start my day. and then of course all the wonderful radio shows (dramas and comedies).

Yes I know I use airplay to stream to my Sonos Beam and then group to other Sonos speakers but honestly - this hardly ever works for long. Consistent dropouts and the sound will drop off one or more speakers randomly. (yes they are on a different address)

I would GLADLY PAY for access to BBC Sounds - but they are STUPID in not providing that .. just think of the $$ they could get … honestly how backward is this thinking - to eliminate the entire rest of the world from hearing your services when you could easily bring in a ton of $$ from many of us who would gladly subscribe.

I am bereft.

Southern Gal

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southern galAuthor

Chromatic Producer I

“or with the Alexa BBC Sounds skill which will also work, and play on Sonos, but multiroom playback will not be supported.”

What ? So if i get out an old Alexa speaker, I can ask Alexa to play BBC Radio 4 on my Beam or Sonos One and it will work?

And if the Beam is grouped shouldnt it play on the other Sonos speakers?

Anyone test this? of course we wont know for sure if it works until the BBC pulls out

Southern Gal

S

southern galAuthor

Chromatic Producer I

Just add BBC Sounds to your Sonos system. It works fine in the USA, though you might need to temporarily switch your Sonos account to UK to add it.

no wqy to find BBC Sounds in the Services. I turned off location and still it didnt show up.. I imagine its based on something in iOS that is not changeable. Not sure how you are able to add it.

Southern Gal

S

southern galAuthor

Chromatic Producer I

Merry Christmas everyone
https://github.com/public-broadcasting/bbc-sounds-community-edition-for-sonos

OMG

THANK YOU

Southern Gal

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