BBC Sounds app can now restart and rewind live radio

The BBC Sounds app now allows users restart any live programme and listen to it from the beginning, or rewind to any point in the live programme.

The update is being rolled out to all iOS and Android app users today, which also allows a stream to be paused and resumed later.

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, the app will automatically queue up and play the next episode once the first has finished. Likewise, for catching up, the BBC Sounds app will play the episodes you’ve not listened to yet in the right order.

If you come to the end of a series, listen to a one-off, or listen to a music mix, the BBC Sounds app will queue up a recommendation, based on what you’ve been listening to.

Other features coming soon to the BBC Sounds app 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.”