Help / BBC player

The links below provide answers to the most frequently asked questions about listening to BBC player including a guide to getting started; answers to some common queries; RealPlayer questions; and technical problems.

Getting Started

• What software do I need in order to use the BBC player?
• How long are programmes available for on the BBC player?
• How soon after live broadcast is a show available to Listen Again?
• Why is the beginning of a programme sometimes cut off?
• Why does part of another show play before the one I selected?
• Why can't I rewind whilst listening?
• Why can I only fast forward in 5 or 15 minute
• Why does audio quality vary on the BBC player?

Common Queries

• Can I download a programme to listen to later?
• Can I listen to the BBC player when abroad?
• Can I record radio shows from the BBC player?
• Why are some radio shows not available on the BBC player?
• I am a teacher, can I use the BBC player in the classroom?
• Why can't I listen to some sporting events commentary online?

RealPlayer

• How do I download and install RealPlayer?
• How do I uninstall and remove RealPlayer from my computer?
• Can RealPlayer be installed on a Linux / Unix computer?
• Can RealPlayer be installed on a Mac?
• Can RealPlayer be installed on Windows XP 64 or Vista 64?
• Why do I get a "Decompression failed" error message when I try to install RealPlayer?
• Why am I having problems downloading Real Player?

Technical Problems

• I can't play any radio shows in BBC player - what's wrong?
• Why does playback stop and start, or stutter?
• Why don't the fast forward, rewind, or volume control buttons work?
• I always see an error message about network or connection problems whenever I use the BBC player - how can I fix this?
• BBC player says 'Loading 0 sec' but the radio show won't play
• The radio show playing on the BBC player is not what I selected. Why isn't the correct show playing?
• An error message about 'MIME plug-ins' has appeared
• There is no sound when listening to BBC Radio in BBC player
• I can listen live to BBC Radio using BBC player, but cannot listen again
• I am hearing last week's programme instead of the latest edition

• Hot Topics

• Can I download radio programmes to listen to later?

• Can I listen to local BBC radio through my TV?

• What is a podcast?

• How can I check my DAB coverage?

• I want to download past podcast episodes - is there an archive?

• Other BBC Help

• BBC iPlayer help

• bbc.co.uk/help

• BBC Webwise guides to the internet