Skip to main content

I used to be able to start radio 4 with the voice command "OK Google, play BBC Radio 4" now this just leads to Sonos playing Radio 4 Extra. Has any one else seen this to know how to fix it?

Same issue ongoing here - hoping for a fix soon

I think that the only way Sonos will respond is by seeing enough purchasers complain about its lack of voice control. Please encourage anyone you know that has bought a Sonos ‘ voice activated “ product  to add to the pressure by posting their complaint.

This is typical of Sonos poor UK consumer support and lack of an effective complaints system. I won't buy more Sonos because of this. techzpod mobdro

This issue also effects BBC Radio 4 LW (plays BBC Radio 4 Extra). 

Mark, I've switched to using Alexa.  Not ideal because my entire house is on the Google ecosystem.  But BBC radio station selection by voice works.

Thanks Nodlesh, that’s good to know.  I may give this a try, although like you, my entire house is using Google assistant also.  So it’s it a bit of a pain to have to swap, but great to know there is an alternative option.

 

Hopefully this is something that will be resolved in future updates, but it sounds like it has been an issue for a while now.

Pretty unbelievable to have an issue with no responses for months, Sonos are in a legal battle with Google so this must be part of it. Can’t think why they just not engaging.

Having purchased these speakers because of google assistant compatibility, perhaps they should start accepting returns?

 

I made the original post 4 months ago and with no sign of progress I've decided to sell my Sonos on. I waited ages for Google integration and boy what a waste of time. Coupled with frequent disconnection issues I've had enough. Anything I need to know / do to the speaker before selling it?

This is highly speculative, but would someone like to try the instruction "play radio 4 from the BBC".

It's based on an issue that arose on Alexa, and I don't really expect it to carry over to GA. But you never know…

(I only use Alexa, so cannot test it myself)

Or maybe try "play radio 4 from BBC Sounds"

I used to be able to start radio 4 with the voice command "OK Google, play BBC Radio 4" now this just leads to Sonos playing Radio 4 Extra. Has any one else seen this to know how to fix it?

I'm waiting on this too...

Same issue here. Has been happening for months as per this thread’s timeline. I was kind of just waiting for it to fix - my assumption is that it’s a TuneIn mapping issue.

Same issue here. Has been happening for months as per this thread’s timeline. I was kind of just waiting for it to fix - my assumption is that it’s a TuneIn mapping issue.

It is due, I believe, to the BBC no longer allowing access to their stations via TuneIn. Exceptions were made for certain third party users like Sonos, but not voice assistants like Alexa and GA.

https://cms.tunein.com/press-release/changes-to-bbc-stations-on-tunein-in-the-uk/

(There may have been other changes subsequently, but this is the ultimate origin of any difficulties in playing BBC stations using TuneIn.)

It’s definitely not this issue as you can use all the other BBC radio stations in this way.

Voice commands for Radio 2 / 5 live work no problem.

The issue (which is still being ignored is that it is playing the wrong BBC radio 4 station (4 extra, rather than 4)

 

OK.  Just out of curiosity, has anyone tried formulating the commands differently as I previously suggested?

As stated, I don't really expect it to work but it would only take a few seconds to test.

This is highly speculative, but would someone like to try the instruction "play radio 4 from the BBC".

It's based on an issue that arose on Alexa, and I don't really expect it to carry over to GA. But you never know…

(I only use Alexa, so cannot test it myself)

Or maybe try "play radio 4 from BBC Sounds"

No, plays radio4 extra:joy:

I’ve just bought a couple of Sonos One devices for my kitchen and I discovered this very issue yesterday.  I was sure I was doing something wrong, so I Googled it and ended up here. 

No matter what I have tried it always plays BBC Radio 4 Extra instead of BBC Radio 4.  My Nest Hub device will play BBC Radio 4 as expected, when asked.  

I am able to select BBC Radio 4 from the Sonos app on my iPhone, or AirPlay it from my phone, but it would be much nicer to be able to walk in and use a voice command. 

I was curious to know if there is an alternative command I should be using.  What a pain. 

Terms & ConditionsCookie settings