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Contributor I
Mar 26, 2026 10:11 AM UTC
Answered

BBC Sounds without Alexa

New Era100 owner. I want to use voice control for BBC Radio stations (BBC Sounds).

I do not want to use Alexa.

Have I bought the wrong product?

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Corry P
Corry PAnswer
Sonos Staff
Mar 30, 2026 8:19 AM UTC

Hi ​@Robski999 

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

To play BBC Sounds content on your Era 100 speaker with a voice command, the only option currently available is to use Alexa.

Alexa does not cost any money to use - you do not need an Amazon Prime subscription or need to pay for Alexa itself.

I hope this helps.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein

5 replies

Airgetlam
Mar 26, 2026 2:00 PM UTC

Are you trying to use Google Assistant, or Sonos Voice Control, then? Have you called Sonos Support to discuss it?

When you speak directly to the Support staff, they have tools at their disposal that will allow them to give you advice specific to your network and Sonos system.

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Bruce
Robski999Author
Contributor I
Mar 26, 2026 7:07 PM UTC

Thank you. On further searching, I see an 'official' reply to the same question (see link, anybody looking). Really disappointed, this is pretty basic functionality and should not require a third-party paid for service from Amazon to enable it. Would not have bought sonos  of I'd known.

 

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106rallye
Mar 26, 2026 7:57 PM UTC

Is Alexa a paid for service?

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Robski999Author
Contributor I
Mar 26, 2026 10:20 PM UTC

Yes, unless you have Amazon Prime it costs £19.99 per month, I believe.

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Corry P
Corry PAnswer
Sonos Staff
Mar 30, 2026 8:19 AM UTC

Hi ​@Robski999 

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

To play BBC Sounds content on your Era 100 speaker with a voice command, the only option currently available is to use Alexa.

Alexa does not cost any money to use - you do not need an Amazon Prime subscription or need to pay for Alexa itself.

I hope this helps.

Translate
"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein