BBC Radio to stop Shoutcast streaming from mid-2023 and will focus on HLS and DASH as its preferred audio streaming technologies. According to the broadcaster ‘This will allow us to understand more about how and where our content is consumed and will help us improve the services we offer to our listeners.’ It continues ‘Shoutcast is an older streaming technology and many connected radio devices in the UK no longer use it for BBC streams. We informed manufacturers and other service providers of this change in May 2022.’
Listeners to BBC services using an internet radio or smart speaker via a Shoutcast stream are hearing a message ‘advising the stream I am listening to will stop working mid-2023’. The corporation suggests that if you are using an internet radio or smart speaker you should contact the manufacturer as it might be possible for the device to be updated to use another of their supported streams. An alternative for mobile or web users is for listeners to use the BBC Sounds app instead.
How to listen to BBC Sounds on a HiFi
- Bluetooth, Chromecast & AirPlay.
- Connect to the Hi-Fi from your mobile or tablet device and use the Sounds app to control what you listen to.
- Most modern televisions also have Bluetooth functionality, so connect your television to the HiFi via Bluetooth and use the BBC Sounds app on your television.
- Some smart speakers may also be able to connect to a HiFi using Bluetooth.
- If your HiFi does not have Bluetooth, Chromecast, or AirPlay functionality, you can use Bluetooth audio adaptor which connects to the audio input on your HiFi.
- Wired connection
- A direct cable connection from your television, computer, mobile or tablet to your HiFi. Depending on the output from your device and the inputs available on your HiFi this could be straightforward or may require an adaptor or a DAC to make it work.
- Web streaming option on your HiFi
- Many HiFi devices now have an internet radio function. It should find BBC services automatically.
- Network Streamer
- Using a network streamer that can be connected to an existing HiFi system that uses an internet connection to play media including radio stations and podcasts. You will need to check that it supports either DASH or HLS audio streaming formats.
