Before I found this thread I was trying to find information about the changes to the BBC streams.
As mentioned above I failed to find the blogpost on the BBC website.
In the absence of further information I decided to contact the BBC so I could come here with at least some information about the changes before I posted looking for assistance.
I contacted them saying I used an open-source community developed dedicated music player and the options offered as alternatives to the current streams were insufficient for many radio listeners as they required a pc with web browser or a mobile device with a particular app or a big-tech produced surveillance device (aka a smart speaker I believe) none of which was a satisfactory alternative for the community.
They finally got back to me today. (Though they did not directly address my enquiries - just a standardised response I suspect)
I post the response here in case it may help understand what is happening and what we might be able to do in future.
The page linked at the bottom is the same blogpost linked above.
As mentioned above I failed to find the blogpost on the BBC website.
In the absence of further information I decided to contact the BBC so I could come here with at least some information about the changes before I posted looking for assistance.
I contacted them saying I used an open-source community developed dedicated music player and the options offered as alternatives to the current streams were insufficient for many radio listeners as they required a pc with web browser or a mobile device with a particular app or a big-tech produced surveillance device (aka a smart speaker I believe) none of which was a satisfactory alternative for the community.
They finally got back to me today. (Though they did not directly address my enquiries - just a standardised response I suspect)
I post the response here in case it may help understand what is happening and what we might be able to do in future.
The page linked at the bottom is the same blogpost linked above.
Quote:Hello there,
Thanks for getting in contact with BBC Sounds Support regarding the upcoming changes to BBC radio.
The changes we are making affect the URLs of our radio streams. The radio streams will continue, but the URL for our streams will change.
Distributing our radio and TV services, both live and on-demand, is a significant operational cost. To ensure good value for money to how we’re funded, we decided to bring ICY streams (sometimes referred to as Shoutcast or Icecast) distribution in-house. These changes are to make sure we can continue to efficiently deliver streams through ICY for the foreseeable future.
This also enables us to offer these streams securely over HTTPS, something which is increasingly requested by radio manufacturers and service aggregators.
A service aggregator is a third party that collects and collates a list of radio stations (and how to connect to them) over the internet. Most internet radio manufacturers and app developers do not maintain such lists themselves but partner with a service aggregator to use their stations lists.
If you are using an app or programme that is fed by a service aggregator, it could be worth getting in touch with them (if you can hear the in-stream message) to see if they are working towards updating the URLs for BBC live radio.
If you no longer hear the message informing you of the changes (repeated every two hours), then the service aggregator (should you be using one) has updated the URLs.
The BBC has decided to not publish the new URLs and we’re asking service aggregators to enter an agreement with the BBC in line with the BBC’s distribution policy.
We advise those that are requesting URL’s (perhaps using bespoke computer programs/app) to consider accessing BBC Radio online either through the BBC Sounds app (Amazon Fire, Android and Apple iOS) or via the BBC Sounds website at www.bbc.co.uk/sounds.
You can read more about this here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/internet/ent...8ce549108c
Thanks again for getting in touch.
All the best,
.....
