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James L.
James L.
Retired Community Staff
April 13, 2022

Important Update to BBC Live Radio Access

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Important Update to BBC Live Radio Access

Hi everyone,

 

The BBC has made some changes to the way you can access BBC live radio in the United Kingdom.

BBC live radio will not be available through Sonos Radio, or TuneIn in the United Kingdom from Today, 13th April 2022.

Find all your favourite BBC radio stations, podcasts and music mixes on BBC Sounds, available on Sonos in the United Kingdom.


To keep listening, you can add BBC Sounds to your Sonos system:

 

iOS or Android:

  1. Open the Sonos app.
  2. From the Settings tab, tap Services & Voice.
  3. Under Music & Content, tap Add a Service.
  4. Tap on BBC Sounds
  5. Tap Add to Sonos.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to add the music service account.

Mac or PC:

  1. Open the Sonos app.
  2. Under the Select a Music Source section, click on Add Music Services.
  3. Click on BBC Sounds
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to add the music service account.

Users outside of the United Kingdom will still be able to listen to BBC live radio through Sonos Radio.

 

Cheers,

James L.

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    119 replies

    Show previous replies
    John B
    September 14, 2022

    Any update on the issue where Google Assistant voice commands cannot play BBC Sounds stations please?  This issue has been know about for months but appears to be no closer to being resolved.  Not much point having a voice activated smart speaker that can’t play your national radio channels!

    I would have to disagree that that makes the whole voice control worthless.  Many users will regard it as a minor inconvenience or a complete irrelevance.  But perhaps you were using hyperbole.

    I can understand your frustration given that it does matter to you and no doubt to others.  It may be low priority for Sonos.  After all, we are talking about a subset (those to whom it matters) of a subset (users using Google voice control who listen to BBC radio) of a subset (users living in a small island off the coast of Europe).  Or it may reflect the fractious relationship between Sonos and Google.

    Sonos doesn’t comment on its plans so there is no alternative but to wait, I’m afraid.  Presumably you can control the stream using GA once the stream has started?

    Peter JT
    Contributor II
    November 4, 2022

    I’m afraid BBC Sounds is only available on Sonos in the UK.   The BBC are changing technology to use HLS and DASH to stream.  Is Sonos planning to incorporate those technologies so BBC listeners worldwide can listen through Sonos?  I hope so

    Cheers

    Peter JT

    controlav
    controlav
    Lead Maestro
    November 4, 2022

    I’m afraid BBC Sounds is only available on Sonos in the UK.   The BBC are changing technology to use HLS and DASH to stream.  

    I can use BBC Sounds here in the USA.

    Sonos supports HLS today: https://developer.sonos.com/build/content-service-add-features/supported-audio-formats/http-live-streaming-hls/

    Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
    John B
    November 4, 2022

    I’m afraid BBC Sounds is only available on Sonos in the UK.   The BBC are changing technology to use HLS and DASH to stream.  

    I can use BBC Sounds here in the USA.

     

    @controlav  My understanding is that BBC Sounds is indeed available outside the UK, but not on Sonos.  Are you saying that you can install and use BBC Sounds as an integrated music source on Sonos in the USA?  That would surprise me.

    John B
    November 4, 2022

    deleted

    controlav
    controlav
    Lead Maestro
    November 5, 2022

    @controlav  My understanding is that BBC Sounds is indeed available outside the UK, but not on Sonos.  Are you saying that you can install and use BBC Sounds as an integrated music source on Sonos in the USA?  That would surprise me.

    Yes, on S2. I cannot get it setup on my S1 system, but it seems to be an S2-only SMAPI service these days so not entirely surprising.

    Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
    rach_smith2006
    Lyricist I
    January 18, 2023

    I do not see BBC sounds as a music service that I can add, any ideas?

    controlav
    controlav
    Lead Maestro
    January 18, 2023

    I do not see BBC sounds as a music service that I can add, any ideas?

    Change the country on your Sonos account to the UK, wait a bit, then it will show up as an option.

    Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
      Belly M
      Belly M
      January 18, 2023

      I do not see BBC sounds as a music service that I can add, any ideas?

      Change the country on your Sonos account to the UK, wait a bit, then it will show up as an option.

       

      In the Sonos App goto Settings/System/System Updates and hit Check for Updates. This can be necessary to force a refresh of the service list.

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