Restart and rewind live radio on BBC Sounds app features have been added to both iOS and Android. This update on mobile apps means listeners can now restart any live programme and listen to it from the beginning, or rewind to any point in the live programme and pick it up from there. They can also pause a live stream and later resume from where they left off or jump back to live.
Live restart is a new feature for the BBC Sounds app, one that wasn’t available on the BBC iPlayer Radio app, although it has been available on the web. The update will also include autoplay, which automatically cues up episodes for uninterrupted on-demand listening. So, for listeners trying out the first episode of a new podcast, such as Shreds: Murder In The Dock, the app will automatically queue up and play the next episode once the first has finished. Likewise, if you’re catching up on The Archers, the BBC Sounds app will play the episodes you’ve not listened to yet in the right order.
The BBC Sounds app will also queue up recommendations, based on what you’ve been listening to, although if you just want to listen to a single episode, autoplay can be easily be toggled off from the playback screen. Autoplay also works for downloads, automatically playing through any episodes that have been downloaded.
New features ‘coming soon’ include ‘track now playing’ information for live programmes; sub-categories (e.g. Crime Drama) and support for CarPlay, Android Auto and Chromecast.
Dan Taylor-Watt, head of BBC Sounds, says: “We’ve been listening to feedback, and heard that being able to pause, rewind and restart live radio was a key feature, listeners wanted to see added to the BBC Sounds app, giving them more control over their live listening experience.”
“Additionally, autoplay will enable listeners to enjoy an uninterrupted on-demand listening experience, making it easier to listen to back-to-back episodes of a podcast or radio series and discover brilliant new audio without lifting a finger – something our live radio schedules have been doing for years.”
Where can I get the BBC Sounds app?
Install the app for free from your app store:
- Amazon Fire: BBC Sounds in the Amazon Appstore
- Android: BBC Sounds in the Google Play Store
- iOS: BBC Sounds in the Apple App Store
