BBC World Service doesn't play

[Lilahsmom]

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!

[EmberW]

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.

[Chaz2]

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??? 

[Barcaseven]

See Jenf comments. Say UK world service south asia. Still works for me. But. Its ridiculous. And this forum is past a week old since this started 15 oct. 

[Barcaseven]

Remember to leave out the BBC. 
UK World Service South Asia works

BBC World Serice South Asia doesn’t work. At least for me. 

[zombiesaaargh]

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.

[Jenf]

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. 

[Jenf]

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!

[Barcaseven]

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

[Jenf]

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

[Barcaseven]

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

[AnneNikodem]

Thank you this worked!!!!

[Danodonnell]

Thanks so much. This worked

[thaikid]

I asked Google home speaker: "Play BBC World Service London on Tune In" and it worked.

[thaikid]

Instead of saying "play", say "Steam"

[JCKe]

This problem with Google is making me "Steam" and Stream doesnt work either!!!

[Barcaseven]

Careful—Adding BBC doesn’t work. It works if its just Play World Service London on Tunein. But. It froze my speaker. 

[Fobb]

Completely agree with all of this:

Any request for World service via BBC Sounds, from the BBC etc etc results in KQED

In the last couple of weeks 30% of requests for radio 4 result in radio 1!

[Barcaseven]

I have the same problem with Radio 4. Takes multiple tries. I even spelt out F O U R didnt work. Takes at least 3 tries. 

[Barcaseven]

I tested it off my nest hub. I don’t see a cut screen. Mine goes to WXXI. I dont get Kqed. It goes to tunein then WXXI (that showd on screen). Metadata is possibly the cause. So far. I see its only redirecting to 2 american stations. Kqed and WXXI. Dont know if you’ll find this info useful. 

[Barcaseven]

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.

[Barcaseven]

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.

[Barcaseven]

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.

[thaikid]

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

[Grogrom]

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!   

[Grogrom]

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

[Barcaseven]

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. 

[cifuentesj]

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.

[zombiesaaargh]

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. 

[Jenf]

I completely agree. The problem is worldwide. I am on a Reddit group and these people live across the world. Some are getting KQED radio and others are getting different ones. It has to be an issue with bbc sounds and Google. The only work round for me is to say hey Google play UK world service South Asia’ this worked in the night. It then opens up in TuneIn. 

[Barcaseven]

So. UK world service South Asia works. Whereas BBC UK world service South Asia does not. I can confirm—on behalf of the folk in Singapore—UK WS SA has Google say ‘from tunein.’ I can get BBC WS off BBC Sounds app on a PC. So I figure google may then have messed up calibration with BBC Sounds for Nest. 

[zombiesaaargh]

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 

[Barcaseven]

The BBC World Service South Asia option stopped working for me yesterday, 20 Oct 24. Don't know if it still works for others.

[Barcaseven]

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.

[zombiesaaargh]

Worth noting that mine never used tunein to play bbc radio.

It always said "playing bbc world service on the bbc" not tune in. 

[Barcaseven]

Yes. Same. Mine would acknowledge the same without 'TuneIn' or 'Spotify.' I only noticed mine failed when BBC WS was no longer available off TuneIn. Whether it's related--I don't know. I hope they resolve this.

[zombiesaaargh]

I'm pretty sue all of the bbc content that I play comes from sounds. 

[zombiesaaargh]

Please reassign this case to a none  American agent. We cannot follow the instructions as we have been locked out of the radio function due to not being the US.

As previously stayed we didn't use tunein, this isnt a orobl5with our tunein settings, we used bbc sounds or Spotify. 

[MrManger]

This is clearly a problem with the Google server side.

I've been listening to bcc world service for 6years, since I purchased my bedside home speaker.

It's now broken, I'm very disappointed.

[zombiesaaargh]

Still no official word from Google, very disappointing. They could at least acknowledge that they have a problem.