topic Re: BBC World Service doesn't play in Speakers and Displays

BBC World Service doesn't play

Lilahsmom — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 21:23:56 GMT

For the past few days, every time I ask my Nest Mini to play BBC World Service, it plays WXXI News instead. I've tried rebooting my phone, the Nest speaker, and my wifi. I've listened to BBC World Service for years on this speaker.

I am out of ideas. Please help!

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

EmberW — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 06:00:31 GMT

Ditto, except mine diverts to KQED in the US. I ask Google to play BBC worlds service and it responds by saying "playing KQED from tune in".

I had my nest set up to automatically play BBC world service every morning without issue until yesterday.

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

Chaz2 — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 16:25:45 GMT

I’m getting the same issue!!! Instead of the BBC WORLD SERVICE it diverts to KQED??? From tune in… I have rebooted and tried several times using various commands to see if I could rectify this bit so far no luck. Help anyone???

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

zombiesaaargh — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 17:21:34 GMT

I've found the reason why it defaults to KQED.

If you ask it to play the BBC World Service on any device with a screen, it will sometimes briefly flash up a title card for a segment that KQED run that includes the words World Service. So it looks like Google is hooking into the station based on something in the Meta data. Which it's prioritizing over the actual World Service station name.

It's really annoying, I've tried everything from asking it to play World Service, to specifically saying "Play BBC World Service On BBC Sounds", and it still goes to KQED.

I've tried this on a dozen devices with half a dozen accounts, so it's something fundamental at Google's end.

It might be a coincidence, but I'm also having trouble with Radio 4. I ask it for BBC Radio 4, and about 30% of the time it takes me to Radio 1.

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

Jenf — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 21:17:28 GMT

Same here. There is a thread on another Google chat with this issue and also on Reddit. Lots are having issues. A few of us have submitted a report to bbc sounds to say there is an issue and Google just say check your location. I’m not technically but the link must be broke! Others in other countries are getting other random stations other than what I’m getting KQED. It’s annoying as like world service when if I wake up in the night! Don’t want to cast it from my phone.

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

Barcaseven — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 07:31:45 GMT

I have faced the same from 15 Oct 24. I'm in Singapore. BBC WS is no longer on TuneIn--so, google nest can't reach it. Neither will amazon echo etc. I can get Radio 1 and Radio 4. As far as I can tell (I'm not tech)--smart speakers reference off tunein for radio. I haven't found a way around. Now, the Nest can play 'BBC Global News Podcast' but you will need a spotify subscription I believe. Been listening to BBC WS for 50 years literally. I have no 88.9 FM where I am. Can't get it on digital radio. Yea, for the first time ever, no more BBC WS. Funny huh, given it survived WW2.

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

Barcaseven — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 07:39:09 GMT

I faced the same from 15 Oct 24. I'm in Singapore. BBC WS is no more on TuneIn. Nest, Amazon Echo etc--get the stream off TuneIn (as far as I've seen). I have reset speakers etc. My reason for all my Nest speakers was solely for BBC World Service since my area has no more FM signal. I have reset speakers. Deleted Google Home, reset it. All of it. BBC WS just isn't on TuneIn. I can't get it on my Sonos speakers either. BBC Radio 1, 2 and 4--I managed to get with voice commands. The closest thing you can do now is voice 'BBC Global News Podcast.' That still needs a Spotify subscription. Spotify can interface with Google Nest. It seems ad free on amazon prime or apple music works also, but I haven't tried interfacing with Nest yet. So. Yup. I have 3 Nests and 1 screen thing--and it's all rubbished now. All because my one reason got shut down on the one streaming app it was on. That's how fragile all of this is. And no AI solution. If anyone sorts this out, I'll be very happy to hear.

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

Barcaseven — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 08:00:28 GMT

I have managed to get BBC World Service working on Sonos though. On the app to myTuner radio to BBC WS. Again, I'm not tech savvy. If Google gets myTuner on Google Home I'd figure there's a chance. I mainly use Sonos off the app, the voice command was clunky. So, yes. That's the workaround I have--no more voice commands with google. I have sonos around the home already and it's now the added step into my sonos app to choose BBC WS. Google should just license the BBC Sounds app and they'd probably see sales go up.

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

thaikid — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 16:33:39 GMT

I have the same problem. This is so frustrating. I live in Texas.

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

Grogrom — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 17:46:22 GMT

This problem is a repeat of Radio 3 problems with failing to be recognised as an existing radio station several months ago. The BBC WS is searched for by Nest and it tries its best by finding stations which re-broadcast BBC WS news or other programmes, but the station itself cannot be found whatever you say. Ultimately the BBC techs sorted it out with Google techs. Annoying though!

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

Grogrom — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 17:50:53 GMT

A workaround is casting BBC WS from your phone or PC using BBC Sounds.

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

Jenf — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 23:31:47 GMT

I have got it to play. I was looking at TuneIn app and it showed bbc world service South Asia. So I said hey Google play bbc world service South Asia and it has started playing via TuneIn. it’s not through bbc sounds but work around for now. I’ve checked it against what is playing on bbc sounds and it is the same programme now. Not sure if this has different content throughout the day. Hope this works for others and continues to work until someone fixes bbc sounds!

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

Barcaseven — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 06:14:07 GMT

I tried this. There’s no option on iphone like I usually have. I cannot on PC either. But. I can send to Sonos. Trouble there is Sonos ‘stops’. It does not play throughout like the Nest. Yea.

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

Barcaseven — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 06:17:04 GMT

I tried this. It works! Will hope they work this out still.

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

Jenf — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 08:50:59 GMT

This morning it didn’t work so had to change to ‘hey Google play UK bbc world service South Asia’ it works for now!

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

Barcaseven — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 16:40:00 GMT

Yes. It just happened to me too. Tried the above. Works again. Good idea to study remaining tunein apps. Will do so.

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

cifuentesj — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:04:26 GMT

Hi folks

Thank you for your timely post and the comprehensive information you've provided. I've reviewed the input and understand that you're encountering issues with your BBC World Service radio station. I'm here to help you troubleshoot and find a solution together.

To assist you further, please attempt the following questions:

Were there any recent changes to your environment, such as a change in Wi-Fi network or relocation of the device?
When did this behavior first begin?
Have you experienced any power outages in your area?
Have you tried connecting the Google Home device to a different power source?
May I know the model of your smartphone?
Are both your Google Home app and smartphone operating system up-to-date?
Did you notice another issue when you try to use the voice commands or just when you play radio?
Is the radio station that you are playing linked to your Google Home app?
Does this happen with all of the radio stations or just the radio station that you are referring to?
Do you have premium on this radio, or is it free?
Are you using an app for this radio?
Which model of Google Home do you have?

In the meantime, you can follow these articles:

For your radio, you can check out additional voice commands for radio: Listen to media,
Listen to radio on your Google Nest speaker or display.

Please keep me posted.

Warm regards,

Jeremy.

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

zombiesaaargh — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 07:28:13 GMT

Seriously?

6 device, three screen, three speaker. Two accounts. Zero changes. The problem isn't at my end.

The fact that I'm having the sane problem as people living thousands of miles away in different countries tells me that this isn't us, it's you.

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

zombiesaaargh — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 07:30:34 GMT

If I ask for bbc world service I get kqed.

If I ask for bbc world service South Asia I get what I asked for. Others as above have the same problem. The problem isn't at my end

Re: BBC World Service doesn't play

Barcaseven — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 09:14:47 GMT

Hi Jeremy

Alright, sure.

Were there any recent changes to your environment, such as a change in Wi-Fi network or relocation of the device? (No there were none).
When did this behavior first begin? (15 Oct 24).
Have you experienced any power outages in your area? (No)
Have you tried connecting the Google Home device to a different power source? (Yes).
May I know the model of your smartphone? (iphone 14 max)
Are both your Google Home app and smartphone operating system up-to-date? (Yes. I checked and updated. No difference).
Did you notice another issue when you try to use the voice commands or just when you play radio? (No issue with other stations. Only an issue with BBC World Service. Coincided with BBC WS no longer offered on TuneIn).
Is the radio station that you are playing linked to your Google Home app?
Does this happen with all of the radio stations or just the radio station that you are referring to? (Only BBC World Service--so far).
Do you have premium on this radio, or is it free? (It's free. Access was offered on TuneIn. I have a registered TuneIn account. It doesn't work still).
Are you using an app for this radio? (No. I request it by voice. It never indicated TuneIn or Spotify in the past. It just played--for at least 30 months. Then suddenly stopped. Like I said, coincided with TuneIn taking the app off its platform).
Which model of Google Home do you have? Nest Audio and one Nest Hub (2nd gen).

Separate from all of this. I can get the station on Sonos including on Sonos voice commands.

I will check in with Google separately to reset/ delete my Google Home account and try a fresh start. I tried resetting speakers but it doesn't clear cache. For example, every once in a while my speakers reply in German--because I tinkered with a german google assistant. Since I set it back to english--the german assistant still shows up. There is certainly some functionality issues, but, the BBC thing appears to me tied to TuneIn. I hope Google can set it up as a standalone app (BBC Sounds or other) like Sonos does and pay the necessary license. I don't know. I only use Google speakers for this one thing. If I can't get it working (and Sonos works) then I have to transition. I hope you can help.