List of BBC radio stream URLs
These stream URLs can be used in an internet radio player or media player program/app of your choice.
A URL on this page might work in a program/app on your device if you click/tap (or double-click) on the URL. But if not, you must instead first copy the URL address to the clipboard, then paste that URL into the media player's 'play' or 'open network stream' box, then click on the 'OK' or 'Play' button.
Tech specs
According to BBC Audio Factory, these are the codecs, bitrates and protocols used for BBC radio online.[1]
| Profile | Codec | Bitrate | Channels | Quality ID[2][3] | Availability | Content Delivery Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AAC-LC | 320kbs | Stereo | audio_syndication_high_sbr_v1 pc_hd_abr_v2 [uk] |
UK-only | Akamai Cloudfront |
| 2 | AAC-LC | 128kbs | Stereo | audio_syndication_med_sbr_v1 mobile_wifi_main_sd_abr_v2 [uk] |
UK-only | Akamai Cloudfront |
| 3 | HE-AACv1 | 96kbs | Stereo | audio_syndication_low_sbr_v1 pc_hd_abr_v2 [nonuk] mobile_wifi_main_sd_abr_v2 [nonuk] |
Worldwide | Akamai Cloudfront |
| 4 | HE-AACv1 | 48kbs | Stereo | audio_syndication_vlow_sbr_v1 cellular_main_sd_abr_v2 |
Worldwide | Akamai Cloudfront |
| 2a (terminated) |
MP3 | 128kbs | Stereo | Worldwide | N/A |
| Protocol | Profiles | Target devices |
|---|---|---|
| HLS | 1, 2, 3 & 4 | Smartphones, tablets and IP radios and streamers. Operational since February 2015; server revamped in October 2023. |
| MPEG-DASH | 1, 2, 3 & 4 | Format to replace HDS and some HLS uses. Operational since February 2015; server revamped in October 2023. |
| ICY (SHOUTcast) (terminated) |
2a | Low end internet radio devices and 3rd party apps. Shoutcast AAC was terminated in February 2015. Shoutcast MP3 was terminated in October 2023. |
In February 2015, BBC made huge changes to the availability of streaming protocols for live radio streams. These changes, part of a project named Audio Factory, were explained as efforts to cater to modern devices and phase out legacy technology. It was announced that chunked HTTP delivery (in the form of HLS / DASH) would be the main protocols that would be supported moving forward, while Windows Media Audio (WMA) streams were discontinued. Shoutcast AAC streams were also switched off, while Shoutcast MP3 streams remained online provisionally during the transition phase.[4][5][6]
In October 2023, BBC made changes to the way their live radio streams are distributed for third-party radio providers and shut down the SHOUTcast MP3 streams for national and local BBC radio stations, leaving HLS / DASH as the only protocols serving BBC live radio streams.[7][8][9][2][10] The old URLs for the international station BBC World Service remain accessible for the foreseeable future.
In January 2025, the BBC made further minor modifications by changing the URLs for several stations. The previous set of URLs, which were active from October 2023 to January 2025, are no longer valid.
Nationwide stations
Digital-only stations
| Station name | Format | Stream URLs |
|---|---|---|
| BBC Radio 1Xtra | Urban contemporary, electronica, hip hop, R&B, soul |
HLS Streams - Akamai
HLS Streams - Cloudfront MPEG DASH Streams |
| BBC Radio 1 Dance | Electronic dance music |
HLS Streams - Akamai
HLS Streams - Cloudfront MPEG DASH Streams |
| BBC Radio 1 Relax (defunct) |
Chill-out, well-being, relaxation, meditation |
HLS Streams - Akamai HLS Streams - Cloudfront MPEG DASH Streams |
| BBC Radio 4 Extra | Comedy, drama, entertainment |
HLS Streams - Akamai
HLS Streams - Cloudfront MPEG DASH Streams |
| BBC Radio 6 Music | Alternative, Indie |
HLS Streams - Akamai
HLS Streams - Cloudfront MPEG DASH Streams |
| BBC Asian Network | Indian music, news, and entertainment |
HLS Streams - Akamai
HLS Streams - Cloudfront MPEG DASH Streams |
| BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra (UK Only) |
Sports |
HLS Streams - Akamai HLS Streams - Cloudfront MPEG DASH Streams |
| BBC Radio 1 Anthems (UK Only) |
music and acts supported by the main Radio 1 network in the 2000s and 2010s |
HLS Streams - Akamai
HLS Streams - Cloudfront MPEG DASH Streams |
| BBC Radio 3 Unwind (UK Only) |
well-being and meditation focused classical music |
HLS Streams - Akamai
HLS Streams - Cloudfront MPEG DASH Streams |
International stations
| Station name | Format | Stream URLs |
|---|---|---|
| BBC World Service | News, speech, discussions |
• Live Streaming - Internet Schedule (as of 2023 October - current URLs)
HLS Streams - Cloudfront
MPEG DASH Streams
|
| BBC Sounds News | News, speech, discussions |
HLS Streams - Akamai
HLS Streams - Cloudfront
MPEG DASH Streams |
See also
References
- ↑ What are the codecs, bitrates and protocols used for BBC radio online? | BBC Sounds
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "BBC Radio Streams · GitHub".
- ↑ "CBeebies Radio DIRECT link for Pure Radio - VideoHelp Forum".
- ↑ "Anger over BBC radio streaming changes - BBC News".
- ↑ "Audio Factory: your comments".
- ↑ "Audio Factory: update".
- ↑ "Why can I no longer listen to BBC live Radio (Shoutcast)? - BBC Sounds".
- ↑ "Changes to live BBC radio streams - BBC Sounds".
- ↑ "BBC: Access to radio live streams after mid-2023 - airable".
- ↑ "Changes to BBC Radio station streaming - #53 by BrianW - Live Radio - Roon Labs Community".
