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mjstocker
Contributor II
November 27, 2020
Answered

Playing Spotify podcasts via Sonos

  • November 27, 2020
  • 39 replies
  • 24786 views

A podcast I have listened to on Stitcher via Sonos for some time has just moved to be on Spotify only. Now searching via Sonos app for this does not find the podcast. When I search in Spotify app, it is there and I can play on my iPhone but when I try to switch playback to Sonos device, get error message for all Sonos devices “can’t play this right now”. This seems to affect only podcasts rather than playlist or artist searches. Am I correct in assuming that Spotify podcasts can be played via Sonos ? This seems odd if true. Any ideas welcome. Thanks

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    Best answer by controlav

    In case there is still some belief that this is not a Spotify problem, go here:

    https://sonos-pmap.ws.sonos.com/spotify_pmap.24.xml

    This is the Spotify metadata file, even if you can’t read XML, go look at the SearchCategories section, and you will see this:

    Note: no Podcast entry. This is either a bug in Spotify, or a deliberate decision by them.

    However, if you look at the end of the file, at the QuickSkips section, you will see that there is podcast support for jumping forward/backward 15 seconds. Curious. I am going to guess that someone accidentally deleted the podcasts entry in the SearchCategories section.

    Suggest someone who wants this feature sends this post to Spotify and tell them to fix it. This is as clear a bug report as could be presented to them.

    39 replies

    Show previous replies
    castalla
    Local Superstar
    November 17, 2021

    Checking the Spotify thread shows no progress on this issue.   I find the Spotify resource on Sonos a real mess - reams of junk material to to scroll through to get to my content at the bottom of the page (... And still no podcasts!). 

    It is possible by ways and means as this pic shows:

     

    It's the courageous bee's knees - all 6 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝. - - - - - Make Sonos Great Again - - - - -
    Airgetlam
    Airgetlam
    November 17, 2021

    This is completely under the control of Spotify, Sonos has zero input as to what Spotify makes available through the connection. 

    Bruce
    castalla
    Local Superstar
    November 17, 2021

    A bit like Facebook accepting no responsibility for what appears on their service, then? 

    What criteria does Sonos apply when making a service available? 

    It's the courageous bee's knees - all 6 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝. - - - - - Make Sonos Great Again - - - - -
    Airgetlam
    Airgetlam
    November 17, 2021

    As far as I’m aware, it’s all detailed on the Sonos partners page, but I haven’t re-read that data in years.

    My belief is that Sonos confirms that the implementation works within the Sonos application, and the server responds with data both audio and search data. But they don’t have control over what is presented by that server, since they don’t own that server. They just point the Sonos “client” to it. 

    Bruce
    castalla
    Local Superstar
    November 18, 2021

    Interesting read.  I couldn't find any reference to content.  Looks like someone could set up a service just replaying  speeches and anthems from the Third Reich and Sonos would be agnostic to the content. 

    It's the courageous bee's knees - all 6 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝. - - - - - Make Sonos Great Again - - - - -
    Airgetlam
    Airgetlam
    November 18, 2021

    I’d assume someone could, although I’m not sure Sonos would choose to carry it….
     

    But the key is, with the rare exception of some Sonos Radio content, none of the data being streamed is held on Sonos servers, so Sonos has no ability to control what data is being fed. All the system does is point to content on other people’s servers. 

    Bruce
    j_somer
    Lyricist I
    November 18, 2021

    Spotify’s inaction to fix issues with Sonos could be influenced by their attempt of getting into the connected speaker market. I highly doubt they will convert many Sonos users with their attempt at speakers. A physical button on a smart speaker is hardly a ground breaking technological development, I disable the buttons on all of the Sonos speakers since the app is more practical. 

    https://www.tellerreport.com/tech/2021-10-20-ikea-develops-the-first-connected-speaker-with-the-spotify-tap-button.SypfN3pSK.html

    rweiner
    August 16, 2022

    It’s been over a year since this thread was started and still no action from Spotify. I chatted with a support tech today who said he would submit this as an upgrade request. If you’re a paid Spotify member, please contact their support and make the same request.
    https://support.spotify.com/us/contact-spotify-support/

      longaard
      Lyricist I
      October 16, 2022

      Thanks for raising this issue.

      I also have issues with some podcasts from the Sonos 1 app which appear perfectly well under tunein or mytuner radio. However, when pressing "play" the Sonos app retuns the message: could not play "podcast name" (translation from Danish). The podcast in question is: "Sara & monopolet". Importantly, some other podcast play perfectly well from the Sonos app. 

      Even so, the all podcasts can be played from the spotify app AND from there be played on the Sonos speakers. 

      Looking forward to your feedback. Thanks 

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