BBC stopping support for streaming

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Is anyone else getting fed up with the BBC stopping support for it's streaming services on relatively new devices? Last autumn we found we could no longer watch Iplayer on our TV via a two year old DVD player, we didn't have any other means of getting it on our TV (saved by getting the DCs an X-box for Christmas). Now we can no longer get live sports coverage via the internet on a Logitech internet radio, I've had to get the old AM one out again. We are a fairly hi-tech household, but I am fed up with getting settled with one system and then finding it no longer works. I kind of accept this with tablets and the like, but wasn't expecting it to happen with other internet devices. Not looking for answers really, just wanted a moan!

Sorry Blu-ray not DVD player in the first sentence.

Why are you blaming the BBC when the fault lies with the manufacturers of your devices for not updating their software.

Are you running the software updates on these devices?

Yes, but the BBC are no longer supporting these devices at all with these services, both changes have been described on the BBC website.

cdtaylornats - it's not always to do with the manufacturer.

In the case of sports, I am sure it would be down to 'rights issues' - the BBC would have paid to be allowed to broadcast to the UK audience, but if they stream it on the internet, then they cannot guarantee someone outside the UK could view/listen, so it's easier to just block it (there are VPN services which allow someone overseas to get a UK internet address, as if they're in London, rather than elsewhere, so the block it all approach is the sledgehammer to crack a nut method).

I tried the other week to hear if there was coverage of a football match on my local BBC station. I do have FM and DAB, but mostly use the TuneIt Radio app on my Android phones. It said I'd need to listen on the radio. It's probably far more annoying when one wants something on Radio 5, as that has an awful AM signal (at least here where I am... I don't remember last time I chose to listen to a station on AM!)

I have not tried streaming live broadcasts from other devices recently but recall hearing that the BBC had stopped the iPlayer on TVs from including radio (complaint was probably on R4 "Feedback"). The BBC is a law unto itself, given their most recent "revamp the web site" decision, and to hell with what users think. They seem to just decide changes on the whim of someone high up, and don't really appear to give two hoots about what effects those changes have for the people using their services, because in their heads, they're "right" and anyone who complains is simply "wrong"...

Yes, it's 5Live I was talking about, you get all the programmes but not the live coverage, it just cuts to a prerecorded message repeating saying the service is not available. We don't have DAB reception as we are rural and AM is decidedly inferior on my old portable transistor radio (luckily it's good in the car).

Do you have FreeSat - must admit I've not actually checked what they do when sport is on, but will ask (I don't have a TV licence and no longer bother with live streaming). The only thing I really miss is the Snooker and sometimes watch it with a neighbour!

FreeSat has got the radio services on it, ie all the 'digital' BBC output, so may be an alternative.

If not, I'd suggest you complain on Feedback, that the BBC needs to do something better for audio quality than assume people will listen on AM to the sports coverage.

It'd be OK if they used some form of subscription scheme (and used your licence number for approval to listen), but this rubbish about assuming people can listen on DAB (when lots are in rural and remote spots where there is little or no service) is probably based on the mandarins in their white towers, centred in London, or Salford, who don't give a stuff if you're in Devon or the Scottish Highlands, or somewhere in the hills, in Wales. Then again, they don't give a stuff if you find they've changed something, and you live in a city!

We can get it on our Sky box, but that is in the living room and I only listen to the radio in the kitchen. I've found this article about it, it is to do with international rights by the sound of it sports streaming. I did complain, as did many others, there was an item about it on the BBC news website. To be honest, if I'm really interested in an event we will probably be watching it anyway (we have Sky Sports), it's just that I have always enjoyed having random sports commentaries on as I potter round the kitchen. And at least we kept the transistor radio for when the inlaws visit as they can't work the internet one!

PS right now I'm trying to work out if it's a BBC change, or Android App change (TuneIn Radio Pro on a Sony Xperia T) or network (Three) change because the account type I have is one they are supposedly phasing out, to the anger of many One Plan customers (unlimited data, including unlimited tethering, 4G at no extra cost, and 2000 minutes, 5000 texts, for 15 quid a month)...

I was trying to hear the R4 Extra "News Quiz Extra" but seems likely the BBC has mucked about as it appears the show cannot be found via TuneIn app (now tried ZTE and Motorola Android phones, too).

Re radio via satellite... Most dishes can have additional satellite cable added (they usually have anything from 2 to 4 to 8 LNBs at the end f the projecting arm. Each LNB (low noise bridge) can serve a satellite box (though for recording purposes a box generally needs 2 cables, one for the recording and a second to feed any live viewing that user demands).

You could perhaps add another cable from the dish to feed a simple FreeSat box in the kitchen (I remember getting a FS box and installation of a new dish for under 100 quid in 2012, so the FS box should be 50-75 quid, the cable shouldn't cost more than maybe 2 quid a metre, it's the time and fees an installer may charge that would bump it up...

They stopped supporting iplayer on the wii, we have been forced to get a chromecast instead.

Thank you, but our box has 4 LNBs and we have two Sky+ boxes already (one upstairs), so that isn't an option. Just hope they don't withdraw AM!

Yes, I read about that too OMG, we never used the Wii for Iplayer as the picture quality was really poor, but I was annoyed that they stopped it on our Blu-Ray player, which gave excellent service.

I mean our dish has 4 LNBs .

You can swap 4 LNB head for an 8 LNB one... so you could add more boxes... Probably 25 to 40 quid, keep 4 LNB unit (or flog on Ebay?)

Though I'd take a lot of photos or get someone to do it for you (to get alignment correct).

www.satellitesuperstore.co.uk/octolnb.htm

search for SKYOCTO (39.95)

Does that mean going up to the dish? Ours is on the chimney . However we are getting persistent signal problems, more than just the usual weather related ones so I think the dish might need adjusting and we'll have to get someone in for that. To be honest though, our kitchen is tiny, we don't have a telly in there and don't have room for a digibox even if we had a telly wall mounted. If we do have to get the dish adjusted I will certainly ask about increasing to an 8LNB head though, keep our options open for the future. I appreciate all your suggestions Networkguy .

Chromecast + TV (w/ HDMI port) + Android Phone

Use the BBC iPlayer app to cast TV.
Use TuneIn Radio app to cast radio.

Sorry, a bit OT I'm really pissed off that there are no subtitles when accessing iPlayer through the Xbox One.

Subtitles are supported with iPlayer through Chromecast.

I don't really want to have to fork out for a Chromecast at the mo, when we've got the Xbox, but that's helpful to know, thanks. Why can't subtitles be available on all platforms?!

Life was easier when all we had was terrestrial TV!

cloudlesssky - if it's sports coverage, I think TuneIn will get the standard BBC "this broadcast is unavailable via the internet" rights protection message, sadly.

Have checked with my neighbour and FreeSat has football coverage on 5 Live while my audio stream via the internet getting the 'available on other platforms' audio loop).

However, since a satellite box is not ideal for this situation, another option might be to see if there's a wireless method to 'broadcast' the audio from the Sky box in the lounge to a speaker in the kitchen - for example, using bluetooth. It would need a box with audio inputs in the lounge and a compatible device with one or two speakers attached (stereo or mono).

Well, i had a bit of a lightbulb moment just now WRT to the Radio 5live streaming - my phone. Live coverage of Villa vs QPR loud and clear in my kitchen via a phone sat in a cereal bowl for improved acoustics. Job done!

Lucky you still have FM, I'm guessing !

I was quite surprised to find two programmes on BBC R4 were blocked on the internet, on Easter Monday. First was the drama (Groucho Marx in the story), and I think the second was either Brain of Britain or Twin Peaks (I suspect the latter, but didn't check on the day, just did something else).

Made me consider writing to Feedback...