You can edit almost every page by Creating an account. Otherwise, see the FAQ.

List of BBC radio stream URLs

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki

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]

Codecs and bitrates
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
Protocols
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

• FM broadcast
HLS Streams - Akamai

HLS Streams - Cloudfront

MPEG DASH Streams


• LW broadcast
HLS Streams - Akamai

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 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

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 - Akamai

HLS Streams - Cloudfront

MPEG DASH Streams


• Live Streaming - Internet Schedule (as of 2015 - still accessible)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. What are the codecs, bitrates and protocols used for BBC radio online? | BBC Sounds
  2. "Why can I no longer listen to BBC live Radio (Shoutcast)? - BBC Sounds".
  3. "Changes to live BBC radio streams - BBC Sounds".
  4. "BBC: Access to radio live streams after mid-2023 - airable".
  5. "BBC Radio Streams · GitHub".
  6. "Changes to BBC Radio station streaming - #53 by BrianW - Live Radio - Roon Labs Community".

External links[edit]