This page was last updated on February 24 2020
This is a list of BBC and commercial radio stations in the UK, comparing audio bitrates for online streams, including BBC iPlayer, DAB, Freeview and satellite (Sky and Freesat).
Please contact the site with any corrections or additions to this list.
Joint Stereo – Audio mode in which two channels forming a stereo pair (left and right) are encoded within the one-bit stream and for which stereophonic irrelevance or redundancy is exploited for further bit reduction.
Mono LSF (Low Sampling Frequency) – Low bitrate encoding with halved sampling rate.
HE-AAC (High-Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding) – More efficient high-quality multichannel and stereo audio codec used with DAB+.
Audio codec: MPEG 1 Layer II
Better than FM quality requires 192-256 kbps
Similar to FM quality requires 160-192 kbps
Acceptable, worse than FM 128-160 kbps
(Based on stereo services)
Audio codec: aacPlus v2
Better than FM quality requires 56-96 kbps
Similar to FM quality requires 40-64 kbps
Acceptable, worse than FM 24-48 kbps
(Based on stereo services)
BBC Digital Radio Bitrates
This list of BBC digital radio bitrates is provided in good faith, 100% accuracy can not be guaranteed, as changes periodically occur on the various platforms used by the BBC.
Below are audio bitrate comparisons for the BBC’s national digital radio stations, the nations and BBC London local radio on BBC iPlayer, DAB, Freeview and satellite (Freesat and Sky).
Please email any corrections or additional information and have them included.
BBC Digital Radio Bitrates | |||||||||
Platform | BBC iPlayer | DAB | Freeview | Satellite | |||||
Station |
Bitrate (UK) | Audio | Bitrate | Audio | Bitrate | Audio | Bitrate | Audio | |
BBC Radio 1 |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 112-128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 192 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 192 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
BBC 1 Xtra |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 112-128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
BBC Radio 2 |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 112-128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 192 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 192 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
BBC Radio 3 |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 160-192 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 192 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 192 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
BBC Radio 4 FM |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 80-128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 192 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 192 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
BBC Radio 4 LW |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 96 kbps | Mono | |
BBC Radio 5 Live |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 64-80 kbps | Mono | 96 kbps | Mono | 96 kbps | Mono | |
BBC Radio 5 SX |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 64 kbps | Mono | 96 kbps | Mono | 96 kbps | Mono | |
BBC 6 Music |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 112-128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
BBC Radio 4 Extra |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 80 kbps | Mono | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
BBC Asian Network |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 64 kbps | Mono | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
BBC World Service |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 64 kbps | Mono | 96 kbps | Mono | 96 kbps | Mono | |
BBC Local Radio |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 80 kbps | Mono | N/A | N/A | |
BBC Radio Scotland |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
BBC Radio N Gàidheal |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
BBC Radio Wales |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
BBC Radio Cymru |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
BBC Radio Cymru 2 |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | Not known | Not known | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
BBC Radio Ulster |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
BBC Radio Foyle |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
BBC Radio London |
320 kbps HLS AAC | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps (local Mux) | Joint-Stereo | 80 kbps | Mono | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
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BBC iPlayer BBC iPlayer streams are available at 320 kbps HLS AAC for UK listeners. BBC iPlayer streams are available at 96 kbps HLS AAC for international listeners. |
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BBC Radio on Freeview Please note that the following BBC radio stations are not available nationally on Freeview: BBC Radio Scotland (Scotland) BBC Radio N Gàidheal (Scotland) BBC Radio Wales (Wales) BBC Radio Cymru (Wales) BBC Radio Cymru 2 (Wales) BBC Radio Ulster (Northern Ireland) BBC Radio Foyle (Northern Ireland) BBC Radio London (London) All BBC Local Radio stations on Freeview are in Mono using a bitrate of 80 kbps. |
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BBC Radio on satellite (Astra 2 at 28.2° East) Codec: MPEG Audio layer 1/2 (mpga) Sample rate: 48000 Hz Bitrates vary from 96 kbps Mono – 192 kbps Joint-Stereo. |
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BBC World Service in Europe The BBC World Service is also available on the following satellites: Astra 1 at 19.2° East BBC World Service Europe (96 kbps Mono) Eutelsat Hotbird 13° East BBC World Service Europe (192 kbps Joint-Stereo) BBC World Service Middle East (192 kbps Joint-Stereo). |
UK Commercial Digital Radio Bitrates
This list of UK digital radio bitrates is provided in good faith, 100% accuracy can not be guaranteed, as changes periodically occur on the various platforms used.
Below are audio bitrate comparisons for commercial digital radio stations, Online streams, DAB, Freeview and satellite (Freesat and Sky).
Please email any corrections or additional information and have them included.
Commercial Digital Radio Bitrates | ||||||||||
Platform |
Online | DAB | Freeview | Satellite | ||||||
Station |
Bitrate MP3 | Bitrate AAC | Audio | Bitrate | Audio | Bitrate | Audio | Bitrate | Audio | |
Absolute Radio |
Various see below | Various see below | Stereo | 80 kbps | Mono | 80 kbps | Mono | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Absolute 70s |
Various see below | Various see below | Stereo | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Absolute 80s |
Various see below | Various see below | Stereo | 80 kbps | Mono | N/A | N/A | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Absolute 90s |
Various see below | Various see below | Stereo | 80 kbps | Mono | N/A | N/A | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
(Absolute) Classic Rock |
Various see below | Various see below | Stereo | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Absolute Radio Extra |
Various see below | Various see below | Stereo | 64-112 kbps | Mono | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Ahomka Radio |
128 kbps | N/A | Stereo | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Awesome Radio |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 64 kbps | Mono LSF | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
BFBS Radio |
64 kbps | N/A | Mono | 24 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Capital UK |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 80 kbps | Mono | 80 kbps | Mono | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Capital Xtra |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 40 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
CapitalXTRA Reloaded |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 40 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Classic FM |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 192 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Desi Radio |
64 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 96 kbps | Mono | |
EWTN |
128 kbps | 42 kbps, 64 kbps | Stereo | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Fun Kids |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 24 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Gold |
48 & 128 kbps | 48 Kbps | Stereo | 40 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
GN Radio |
128 kbps | N/A | Stereo | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Heart London |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 128 kbps (local mux) | Stereo | 64 kbps | Mono | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Heart Dance |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 40 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Heart extra |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 40 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Heart 70s |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 40 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Heart 80s |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 40 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Heart 90s |
128 kbps | 128 kbps | Stereo | 40 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
heat |
112 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | N/A | N/A | 64 kbps | Mono | N/A | N/A | |
Hits Radio |
112 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | N/A | N/A | 64 kbps | Mono | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Jack Radio UK |
320 & 128 kbps | 24 & 64 kbpd | Stereo | 32 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Jazz FM |
128 kbps | 24 kbps & 128 kbps | Stereo | 32 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Kerrang! |
112 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | N/A | N/A | 64 kbps | Mono | N/A | N/A | |
Kiss |
112 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 80 kbps | Mono | 80 kbps | Mono | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
KISS FRESH |
112 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 64 kbps | Mono | 64 kbps | Mono | N/A | N/A | |
KISSTORY |
112 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 64 kbps | Mono | 64 kbps | Mono | N/A | N/A | |
Kanshi Radio |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 128 kbps | Mono | |
Khushkhabri |
48 kbps | N/A | Stereo | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 96 kbps | Mono | |
LBC |
48 kbps (Mono) | 48 kbps | Stereo | 64 kbps | Mono LSF | 64 kbps | Mono | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
LBC News |
48 kbps (Mono) | 24 kbps | Stereo | 32 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Liberty |
128 kbps | N/A | Stereo | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Love Sport |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 24 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Magic |
112 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 80 kbps | Mono | 80 kbps | Mono | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Magic Chilled |
112 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 32 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Mellow Magic |
112 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 80 kbps | Mono | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Panjab Radio |
128 kbps | N/A | Stereo | 56 kbps | Mono LSF | N/A | N/A | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Planet Rock |
112 kbps | 24 kbps, 48 kbps | Stereo | 80 kbps | Mono | N/A | N/A | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Premier Radio |
N/A | 128 kbps | Stereo | 64 kbps | Mono LSF | 64 kbps | Mono | N/A | N/A | |
Premier Praise |
32 kbps | 64 kbps | Mono | 64 kbps | Mono LSF | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Radio X |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 40 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Rainbow |
96 kbps | N/A | Stereo | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 64 kbps | Mono | |
RNIB Connect |
128 kbps | N/A | Stereo | N/A | N/A | 64 kbps | Mono | N/A | N/A | |
Scala Radio |
112 6 128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 112 kbps | Joint-Stereo | N/A | N/A | 192 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Share Radio |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 64 kbps | Mono | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Solar Radio |
128 kbps | N/A | Stereo | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Smooth Radio |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 128 kbps | Joint-Stereo | 64 kbps | Mono | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Smooth Extra |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 32 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | 160 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Sukh Sagar |
48 kbps | N/A | Stereo | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 96 kbps | Mono | |
Sunrise Radio |
32 kbps (WMP) | NA | Stereo | 64 kbps | Mono LSF | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
talkRADIO |
N/A | 48 kbps | Mono | 64 kbps | Mono LSF | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
talkSPORT |
32 kbps | N/A | Mono | 64 kbps | Mono | 64 kbps | Mono | 64 kbps | Mono | |
talkSPORT 2 |
N/A | 48 kbps | Mono | 64 kbps | Mono LSF | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Trans World Radio (TWR) |
96 kbps | N/A | Stereo | N/A | N/A | 64 kbps | Mono | 64 kbps | Mono | |
UCB1 UK |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 64 kbps | Mono | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
UCB 2 UK |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 64 kbps | Mono | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Union JACK |
128 kbps | 24, 64, 320 kbps | Stereo | 32 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Virgin Radio |
N/A | 96 kbps | Mono | 80 kbps | Mono | N/A | N/A | 192 kbps | Joint-Stereo | |
Virgin Anthems |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 32 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Virgin Chilled |
128 kbps | 48 kbps | Stereo | 32 kbps | Stereo (DAB+) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
WRN Europe |
64 kbps | N/A | Mono | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 64 kbps | Mono | |
Radio Streams Many radio stations also have lower bitrate streams available, some stations are restricted to the UK. For live UK radio stream links see: www.radiofeeds.co.uk |
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Stream Formats: Windows Media requires Windows Media Player MP3 requires a streaming MP3 player such as Winamp, iTunes, Foobar2000 or VLC Media player Ogg Vorbis requires an Ogg Vorbis compatible player such as Winamp, Foobar2000 or VLC Media player aacPlus requires an aacPlus player such as Winamp 5.08+, Foobar2000 or VLC Media player |
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Software Foobar2000 iTunes VLC Player Winamp |
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Radio on DAB/DAB+ All DAB radio stations are on National DAB multiplexes Digital One & Sound Digital, unless otherwise specified. (L) London DAB multiplex, check to see if the station is available in your area at: http://www.wohnort.org/DAB/ukloc.html |
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Absolute Radio Stations Absolute Radio stations broadcast in a variety of formats: AAC+ 64k, AAC+ 128k, MP3 32k, MP3 128k, Ogg Vorbis 16k, Ogg Vorbis 160k, Ogg FLAC 1Mb For more information see: http://absoluteradio.co.uk/listen/links/ |