BBC Help
How can I listen to BBC Radio stations and programmes online?
You can listen to BBC Radio using BBC iPlayer through your computer, your mobile phone, or your games console.
This FAQ also explains other ways of listening to BBC Radio, including Internet Radio devices.
A selection of BBC Radio programmes is also available for downloading or subscribing to free podcasts.
Overview
All of the BBC's national, local and regional stations (including the BBC World Service) are available to "listen live" on the internet (rights permitting), with appropriate media player software, and the majority of our programmes are available on demand for seven days after broadcast. The availability of these services depends on the device you wish to listen with.
We continuously review our distribution techniques to provide the best possible service.
Because of the wide and varied nature of devices that can be used to tune in to these services and the control the manufacturers have over what they choose to offer depending on their device's capabilities, it is important to understand the BBC's position regarding support. We have outlined the support provided under each device type below.
Via a computer or games console
- Use BBC iPlayer on your computer's Web Browser, with Flash installed. (Help for iPlayer).
- Use media player software to listen - see the 'IP streaming services' section below - to help determine what's available for you. (You can "listen live" easily here, on demand services are available but it is currently offered to developers and manufacturers making devices).
Via a mobile phone
- BBC iPlayer [ http://www.bbc.co.uk/mobile/iplayer/ ] is available for a selection of mobile handsets.
- Other mobile handsets may be able to use the other services in "IP Streaming Services" below.
Use your mobile to scan this QR Code to take you to iPlayer for mobile.
Via other 'connected' devices (e.g. WiFi Radio)
It is also possible to listen to BBC Radio services via the internet without having to log on to a computer. The easiest way to do this is via a WiFi or Internet Radio. These radios pick up radio stations streamed on the internet via a broadband connection to the radio set.
You should be aware that support for these devices is the responsibility of the manufacturer, as they control what content is offered on the device and how to access it.
Once the BBC has evaluated their device we do make every attempt to provide them with information that allows them to offer the BBC Radio services to their customers.
You should always check with the manufacturer, if in any doubt, about whether our services are offered by their device by contacting the manufacturer's Customer Services department/website or asking the seller/retailer questions - we recommend that you specifically mention a particular BBC service you wish to hear. Some devices only offer our Live services, while others also offer our seven-day Listen Again service.
The BBC is, understandably, unable to provide support to you directly on these devices, and you must contact the manufacturer in the first instance. However, we would be pleased to hear from you if you have been unable to resolve your problem to your satisfaction - please contact us in this event, making sure to mention the specific Internet Radio device.
Some devices can be configured to play our live services, by following the manufacturer's instructions. For this you will need to know the types of streams that the device supports, and the technical information about our streams available below.
IP Streaming Services
The types are categorised as follows:
iPlayer (Flash)
a format of streaming exposed in the iPlayer web interface - these are RTMP delivered aacFamily codecs. These can be experienced in iPlayer, though some personal computers and other devices can play these back natively.
Windows Media
Microsoft's Windows Media streaming services - for audio we use Windows Media Audio v9 codecs. Delivery is via RTSP and HTTP. These can be played back on multiple platforms and devices - including players like Windows Media Player, VLC, RealPlayer and MPlayer on personal computers and many 3G and Edge-based mobile devices.
3GPP
The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) - provides a set of streaming specifications designed for constrained bandwidth situations. These can be played back on multiple platforms and devices that support 3GPP streaming techniques - including players like RealPlayer, VLC and MPlayer on personal computers as well as the majority of Wifi/3G/Edge-based mobile devices.
RealMedia
Streams using RealNetworks' RealMedia services. These are delivered via RTSP and HTTP. These can be played back on multiple platforms and devices that support RealMedia streaming techniques - including players like RealPlayer, VLC and MPlayer as well as a variety of Wifi/3G/Edge-based mobile devices.
| National Radio | iPlayer (Flash) | Windows Media | 3GPP | ||
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| Live | Listen Again | Live | Listen Again | Live | |
| Radio 1 |
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*See Notes |
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| Radio 1xtra |
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| Radio 2 |
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| Radio 6Music |
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| Radio 3 |
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| Radio 4 |
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| Radio 4 Extra |
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| Radio 4LW |
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| Radio 5 live |
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| Radio 5 live Sports Extra |
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| BBC Asian Network |
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| Nations Radio | iPlayer (Flash) | Windows Media | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live | Listen Again | Live | Listen Again | |
| Radio Scotland | listen » | listen » | listen » | *See Notes |
| Radio nan Gaidheal | listen » | listen » | listen » | |
| Radio Ulster | listen » | listen » | listen » | |
| Radio Wales | listen » | listen » | listen » | |
| Radio Cymru | listen » | listen » | listen » | |
| World Service Radio | iPlayer (Flash) | Windows Media | Real Media | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live | Listen Again | Live | Live | |
| BBC Arabic | listen » | listen » | listen » | |
| BBC Russian | listen » | listen » | listen » | |
| BBC World Service | listen » | listen » | listen » | listen » |
| BBC World Service - English News | listen » | listen » | ||
*Notes:
- for Listen Again is available in a feed of data to manufacturers and other developers. We do not currently expose this data in a human-friendly form on our website. This allows, for example, Internet Radios to have our Listen Again content available. For more information please read the associated BBC RadioLabs postings: "Windows Media - Listen Again - Update" and "Windows Media - Listen Again - Update 2"
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