How do I use BBC Sounds on my TV?

Where can I find the BBC Sounds app?

  • Connected TVs

    If your TV is supported, you'll find the BBC Sounds app either pre-installed or in the app or players store/menu. 
     
  • YouView

    If you've got a YouView box or a compatible YouView-enabled Sony TV, you can find BBC Sounds by: 
    • Selecting BBC Sounds from the Players section
    • Listening to a BBC radio programme from the last seven days via the YouView electronic programme guide
    • Listening to a BBC radio programme from the last seven days via the YouView On Demand area

You'll need to make sure your TV device is connected to the internet. 


How can I listen live?

On the homepage, you'll find all our national radio stations and your local station at the top. Select a live stream to start listening. Scroll across and select 'View all' to see all National and Local stations. 
 

Image of the BBC Sounds TV app homescreen with the stations rail at the top. The 'View all' icon on the far left is highlighted

 

Screenshot of the BBC Sounds TV app open at the local stations page. The National and Regional stations buttons are at the top

You’ll be sent to a new page where the live stream will start to play. If Live Restart is available, you'll see a Start button which will rewind the programme to the beginning, otherwise you can listen at the live point.

When listening to any programme, live or on-demand, you can minimise/maximise the playback screen using the two arrows to the right of the playback area.

Image of the playback screen on the BBC Sounds TV app

How can I listen on demand?

Use the menu on the left to choose from Home, Music, Podcasts, My Sounds and Search to find the programmes you love. 

BBC Sounds TV app homepage

Scroll down the homepage to find Unmissable Sounds, your Continue Listening programmes, Music Mixes, Recommendations, Categories and so much more. Click on any programme to start playing.

You'll find extensive lists of available programmes within Categories. To view all categories, scroll to the right and select View all. For help with categories, have a look here: Where can I find categories on BBC Sounds?

BBC Sounds TV app categories menu with the 'View all' button highlighted on the far right

To find music programmes and mixes, use the Music icon on the left. Scroll down through the highlights (and across to View all), or view the music categories to find music you're in the mood for.

Screenshot of the BBC Sounds TV app open on the Music menu. The menu options are all showing on the left hand side, with Music highlighted

Choose the Podcasts icon to view the list of podcasts that we have to offer.

Image of the Podcasts menu on the BBC Sounds TV app

Scroll down through the highlights and categories (and across to View all in that section), or scroll to the bottom to see all of the podcasts we have to offer.

Select a programme to start playing. To see all episodes of a particular programme, select More episodes. In here, you can view and play other episodes, and you can subscribe to the show.

Image showing a podcast being selected on the BBC Sounds TV app. The Play button is highlighted in orange

Image showing the 'More episodes' page on the BBC Sounds TV app

You'll also find My Sounds in the left-hand menu, where you can access your Latest list, Subscribed programmes and Bookmarked programmes and episodes.  

Image of the BBC Sounds TV app open in the My Sounds menu with the Latest and Subscribed headings highlighted


Can I search for programmes?

Yes, you can. Navigate to the menu on the left-hand side and click on Search. Then, type in the name of the programme or podcast you're looking for. 

Screenshot of the Search page on the BBC Sounds TV app. The user is searching for Archers and the search has returned two programmes and the episodes are listed below


Do I have to sign in?

Yes, you do. Check the How do I sign in to BBC Sounds on my connected TV? page for guidance on how to sign in.