We are making changes to how we support internet radio streams. If you listen via BBC Sounds (or a device that is listed on the Sounds help site) you will not be affected, but if you use a third-party app, an internet radio or bespoke device, these changes may affect you.
Why are you making these changes?
The BBC must do everything reasonable to ensure that UK listeners are able to access the public services that are intended for them, in a range of convenient and cost-effective ways. We also must ensure that third-parties are able to meet BBC requirements including prominence, which helps listeners to find content we’ve made for them, and sharing of data, which helps us understand what people are listening to, which in turn helps us improve our content and services. At the same time, it’s important we make sure that third-parties do not use our streams without permission in non-compliant ways, like serving advertisements around our radio services for example. As such, we will start restricting access to our radio streams. They will only be available to third parties that meet BBC requirements.
We recently applied this change to nations and local radio stations. On 3 October 2023, this change was rolled out to all our national BBC stations.
We notified device manufacturers, where possible, in May 2022 and have been working with them to minimise the impact to listeners.
What should I do if I lose BBC radio on my device or app?
If using a third-party app, use BBC Sounds instead. If you are using an internet radio device, please contact the manufacturer as it’s possible services could be made available again on your device. Unfortunately, it’s not practicable for the BBC to grant access to devices that are no longer supported by the manufacturer. However, you might still be able to use the device by streaming live BBC radio from the BBC Sounds app on a smartphone or tablet (Bluetooth, Airplay or Chromecast).
For other ways of adapting a device to listen to BBC Sounds, please read our FAQ: How can I get BBC Sounds on my Hi-Fi?
We are unable to grant access to individual users and suggest you use BBC Sounds instead.
Can I check if my device will be affected?
Unfortunately, we are unable to advise on specific devices. Please contact your manufacturer to find out if your device will be affected. If your device does not support protected HLS and DASH streaming technologies, which is how we will distribute radio streams online, please listen via BBC Sounds, or consider adapting the device. For example, using Bluetooth to play radio from the BBC Sounds app on your smartphone.
What about BBC World Service?
Access to BBC World Service will not be restricted.
Further Information for 3rd party providers
Please visit: Information for 3rd parties regarding changes to BBC Live radio streaming