UK Digital Radio Bitrates

This page was last updated on February 24 2020
BBC Radio 2 Wi-Fi Radio
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
.                
 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.
 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.
 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.
 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
 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
 Software
 Foobar2000
 iTunes
 VLC Player
 Winamp
 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
 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/
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