List of BBC radio stream URLs
These stream URLs can be used in an internet radio player or media player app of your choice.
Tech specs[edit]
According to BBC Audio Factory, these are the codecs, bitrates and protocols used for BBC radio online.[1]
| Profile | Codec | Bitrate | Channels | Availability | Content Delivery Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AAC-LC | 320kbs | Stereo | UK-only | Akamai Cloudfront |
| 2 | AAC-LC | 128kbs | Stereo | UK-only | Akamai Cloudfront |
| 3 | HE-AACv1 | 96kbs | Stereo | Worldwide | Akamai Cloudfront |
| 4 | HE-AACv1 | 48kbs | Stereo | 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. |
| MPEG-DASH | 1, 2, 3 & 4 | Format to replace HDS and some HLS uses. |
| ICY (SHOUTcast) (terminated) |
2a | Low end internet radio devices and 3rd party apps. Terminated in October 2023. |
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 streams for national and local BBC radio stations, leaving HLS / DASH as the only protocols serving BBC live radio streams.[2][3][4][5][6] The old URLs for the international station BBC World Service remain accessible for the foreseeable future.
Nationwide stations[edit]
| Station name | Format | Stream URLs |
|---|---|---|
| BBC Radio 1 | Contemporary Hit Radio |
HLS Streams - Akamai HLS Streams - Cloudfront MPEG DASH Streams |
| BBC Radio 2 | Adult Contemporary |
HLS Streams - Akamai HLS Streams - Cloudfront MPEG DASH Streams |
| BBC Radio 3 | Classical, jazz, world music, drama, culture, arts |
HLS Streams - Akamai HLS Streams - Cloudfront MPEG DASH Streams |
| BBC Radio 4 | News, talk, comedy and drama |
Web Stream HLS Streams - Cloudfront MPEG DASH Streams
HLS Streams - Cloudfront MPEG DASH Streams |
| BBC Radio 5 Live | News and sports |
HLS Streams - Akamai HLS Streams - Cloudfront MPEG DASH Streams |
Digital-only stations[edit]
| 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 5 Live Sports Extra (UK Only) |
Sports |
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 1 Anthems (UK Only) |
music and acts supported by the main Radio 1 network in the 2000s and 2010s |
HLS Streams
MPEG DASH Streams |
| BBC Radio 3 Unwind (UK Only) |
well-being and meditation focused classical music |
HLS Streams
MPEG DASH Streams |
International stations[edit]
| 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
|
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ What are the codecs, bitrates and protocols used for BBC radio online? | BBC Sounds
- ↑ "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".
- ↑ "BBC Radio Streams · GitHub".
- ↑ "Changes to BBC Radio station streaming - #53 by BrianW - Live Radio - Roon Labs Community".
