Is BBC Radio ever going to return to HomePod?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Is BBC Radio ever going to return to HomePod?

I purchased a HomePod for my mum a few days ago, I was under the impression that it was (finally) able to play radio stations using Siri.

I have now learned that due to some kind of dispute between BBC and TuneIn, it's now not possible to play any BBC Radio Stations using Siri.

This is a huge problem. Having to explain to my mum that she has to install a BBC app and make it play through her phone is going to be hard, considering that on her old Amazon Echo (supposedly an inferior unit), BBC radio was very easily playable.

If BBC radio isn't coming back to HomePod any time soon I think i'll have to return it and get an Echo Studio instead.

HomePod

Posted on Oct 12, 2020 8:38 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

turingtest2

Level 10

273,039 points

Oct 13, 2020 3:49 PM in response to CyberAly

Who knows? My best workaround so far has been to create a shortcut that opens the following URL in Safari on my iPhone, and then hands off playback to my HomePod.

http://open.live.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/5/select/mediaset/http-icy-mp3-a/vpid/bbc_radio_fourlw/format/pls.pls

tt2

Reply

Answer 2

CyberAly Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 14, 2020 2:03 AM in response to turingtest2

@turingtest2

That's actually a really good idea. I could put the widget somewhere accessible on her phone...

Thanks for the tip, I wouldn't have thought of that.

EDIT: By the way, where did you get the URL? Where can I get the URLs for other BBC stations like Radio 6 Music?

Reply

Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

273,039 points

Oct 14, 2020 5:59 AM in response to CyberAly

To be honest I cannot recall exactly how I originally tracked down the URL, but I've just found this resource which might help you: http://www.suppertime.co.uk/blogmywiki/2015/04/updated-list-of-bbc-network-radio-urls/

tt2

Reply

Answer 4

CyberAly Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 15, 2020 3:41 AM in response to turingtest2

You the best you the best.

It would be better if these Shortcuts could be called from HomePod, but since they rely on Safari I guess that isn't possible yet.

Still, this solution is a pretty good workaround for the time being.

Reply

Answer 5

Oct 15, 2020 12:52 PM in response to CyberAly

I downloaded the Receiver app to my iPhone. Then setup a shortcut called Radio BBC Radio 2 to play that station using Receiver. I can now say to my HomePod "Hey Siri Radio BBC Radio 2" and it plays it no problem.

Reply

Answer 6

bakajiji

Level 1

8 points

Oct 25, 2020 3:14 AM in response to thomasrowland

OK, here goes:

Open Shortcuts on your iPad or iPhone.

Choose Music and when you see a box with Play Music, click on Music and choose Radio.

Find BBC Radio 4 or whichever station you need and select it.

That's the end of the first part.

Next, type Airplay into search and choose Set Playback Destination.

Click on the word after "Set playback destination to" (mine says iPad) and choose your HomePod location.

Rename the New Shortcut to whatever you like and that's it.The new shortcut will appear in My Shortcuts.

Click on it and the radio station will play in your HomePod.

Reply

Answer 7

Oct 15, 2020 11:51 AM in response to CyberAly

What's needed is the possibility to open a stream URL directly on Homepod!

Tunein in the UK has become completely useless and obsolete without the BBC and all foreign stations.

Reply

Answer 8

CyberAly Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 16, 2020 2:13 AM in response to sebastien100

@sebastien100 Agreed. Apple needs to make sure their service for non-American customers is as good as it can be.

@AndyNoMan That's an interesting idea, I'll try it, thanks!

Reply

Answer 9

bakajiji

Level 1

8 points

Oct 23, 2020 1:47 PM in response to CyberAly

Same for me, in Japan. I made a workaround; a Shortcut that opens the Music app, goes to Radio, selects BBC Radio 4 then directs it to my HomePod. I did the same for 4 Extra and 3. Works a treat!

Reply