BBC Radio 3 Unwind

[tommyrot]

Hi folks,

BBC Radio 3 Unwind is a 24/7 digital stream launched on November 4, 2024, on BBC Sounds. I gather that it streams at an adaptive bitrate ranging from 48 to 96 kbps in AAC+ format, which to audiophiles makes it equivalent to a pixelated 16bit game in a hi-def 64bit world.

It's only available in via BBC Sounds on one's phone (and I presume also via supported smart speakers). There appear to be no plans to make it available to non-tracked digital stream providers. This seems inline with the Sounds team's fixation on collecting listening data.

I was wondering, is anyone listening to it? What are your thoughts?

Thanks.

[simoncn]

Where are you located? There appears to be a 320 kbps stream available to UK listeners.

[tommyrot]

(11-11-2024 16:25)simoncn Wrote:  Where are you located? There appears to be a 320 kbps stream available to UK listeners.

Hi Simon,

Hope you're well.

I'm in Oxford, UK.
I should mention that I don't have any tools to identify the stream quality/bitrate available via the BBC Sounds (iOS) app, which is where I listened to it, briefly. I got that bitrate information from ChatGPT, so perhaps take with a grain of salt. It also didn't specify whether that applies to the just the app or also online (via a browser), which is also possible.

Where can one find a 320kpbs stream for BBC R3 Unwind?

Thanks.

T

[simoncn]

I found it by opening BBC Sounds in a web browser on my Windows PC and selecting Radio 3 Unwind.

[tommyrot]

(11-11-2024 18:53)simoncn Wrote:  I found it by opening BBC Sounds in a web browser on my Windows PC and selecting Radio 3 Unwind.

Yes. Are those the only two options: on BBC Sounds (via browser) or using the BBC Sounds app?

I can't find it on Airable or on Naim's internet radio index. VLC won't play that BBC Sounds URL (or any other network stream for some bizarre reason). I imagine that even if there were to be a way to play a raw URL, the BBC's digital gestapo would soon come a-knocking.

[simoncn]

There are ways to find and play raw URLs for BBC radio streams but I cannot provide information here about how to do this.

Naim has a license from the BBC allowing their devices to play all BBC radio streams. I presume Radio 3 Unwind will show up on Naim in due course.