You can now access BBC content through the Amazon Echo and Google Home. In time, we'll support even more voice devices.
What BBC content is available on Google Home?
BBC Sounds
You can listen to all your favourite BBC radio stations. Say: "Ok Google, play BBC [radio station]". View a list of BBC radio stations
News
You can get BBC News, World Service News, and BBC Minute. Say: “OK, Google, play the news”. Read how to set up news sources in the Google Home app
At the moment, you can access BBC content on Google Home without signing in.
What BBC content is available on the Amazon Echo?
BBC Sounds
With the BBC skill, you can listen live to all BBC radio stations and play all of our on-demand content, including programmes, podcasts and music mixes.
Find out some commands for BBC Sounds on Amazon Echo/Alexa.
Interactive news
To get the latest news, say "Give Me BBC News" to an Alexa enabled smart speaker.
To move through these stories: “Alexa, next”.
To get an in-depth take on a story: "Alexa, more from the BBC".
Flash Briefings
BBC News, BBC Sport, BBC Business, World Service News and BBC Minute are available as Flash Briefings. Say: “Alexa, play my Flash Briefing”. Read how to set up your Flash Briefings in the Alexa app
If you have an Amazon device with a screen, like an Echo Show or Echo Spot, you can get the BBC News Flash Briefing as a video instead.
How can I get the BBC Skill on the Amazon Echo?
To automatically enable the BBC Skill say: “Alexa, open the BBC”. Alternatively, you can find and enable the BBC Skill through the Alexa website or app. It’s free of charge.
You’ll then need to link your BBC account to the voice device. To do this, click on the Settings button for the BBC skill in the Alexa app.
If you don’t have a BBC account, you can register here - it’s a quick and easy process. You need to be over 13 to link accounts. For more information on how we make sure your details remain safe and sound, visit Your Information & Privacy
Your Alexa language must be set to English (UK) not English (US) for the BBC Skill to work. For full details on setting up skills, visit the Enable Alexa Skills page on Amazon.
Help with using the BBC Skill
When using the BBC Skill, you can control your listening experience with voice instructions. It's as simple as that.
To launch the skill say “Alexa, open the BBC”.
To help you get started, you’ll be asked what radio station, show or podcast you'd like to listen to when you first access the BBC Skill. Or, to get straight to your favourite sounds, say “Alexa, ask BBC to play [radio station, show or podcast]”.
Problems playing BBC shows on Amazon Echo devices
We're aware that some customers are experiencing issues playing BBC stations and shows using Amazon Echo devices. For example, sometimes the station or show isn't found, doesn’t play, or the stream drops out.
We're looking into this with Amazon. In the meantime, here are things that you can try:
- First, check that the Alexa language settings for your device are set to English (UK). Check and update your language settings
- Also, it is worth checking that your device is using the latest software. Check and update your Alexa device software
We'll update this page when we have any more advice.