Sportsound Frequently Asked Questions

This page is intended to help out users who may be experiencing problems accessing the live audio streams of football matches at the Sportsound page. It contains common questions and answers to help users resolve any problems.

Please take the time to read this page before sending a complaint or query to the Sportsound team, as you may not receive a response if the answer is already listed below.

Click here to return to the Sportsound page.

Why is the match blocked 'for contractual reasons'?
I can't hear the match, is there something wrong?
Where do I get Real Player?
I can't get my Real Player working, can you help me?
Why is Sportsound not available to Listen Again?
Can I listen to a podcast of Sportsound?
What has happened to 90 Minutes?
Can I listen to the matches using Windows Media Player?
My internet service provider is AOL, but I still can't hear the match, what's wrong?
I'm in the UK, and I still can't hear the match, is there something else wrong?


Why is the match blocked 'for contractual reasons'?
Often, when the online rights for matches are negotiated, the rights rest with the home team, or the football association organising the match (such as the SPL, Uefa, SFL, SFA or Fifa). In the case of the SPL, rights are negotiated centrally, but some teams have asserted worldwide rights to their home matches. Therefore, all SPL matches involving Aberdeen, Celtic, Kilmarnock and Rangers will be completely blocked to users outside of the UK, as will any Hearts home match. Often, other Sportsound matches are blocked for similar contractual reasons. We are unable to enter into further correspondence regarding the reasons for matches being blocked. Users inside the UK should be able to hear the commentaries. Matches in the CIS Cup are negotiated on a match-per-match basis, but are also blocked to non-UK users. BBC Scotland also has selected rights to Scottish Cup and Scotland's home international matches, which may be blocked to users outside the UK, depending on the rights situation. BBC Scotland also periodically obtains online rights to European matches, such as certain Uefa Cup and Champions League qualifiers, but has no rights whatsoever to stream matches from the Champions League group stage or knock-out matches. BBC Sport Scotland also provide online coverage of shinty and rugby throughout the year, including Six Nations.


I can't hear the match, is there something wrong?
Unless otherwise stated on the Sportsound page, all matches are tested independently and will be working without any reported issues. If you are experiencing difficulty listening to a match, it is probably because it is being blocked for contractual reasons, which will be clearly stated on the page. If you are outside of the UK, you will not hear a match which is being blocked to non-UK listeners. Also, many of the 'online-only' matches (ie. matches which are not also being broadcast on Radio Scotland FM or MW), generally do not have any continuity before kick-off or at half-time, in which case, users are usually given audio from Radio Scotland or a jingle to inform you that the match is currently unavailable. In some cases, this may be commentary from a match other than the one you are trying to listen to. It is worth noting that matches do not always kick-off exactly on time, so we often have to provide listeners with alternative commentary until the match commences. Please wait for the match to start before sending an email to Sportsound. Also, please note that the BBC is not responsible for problems related to your computer equipment or internet connection.

Where do I get Real Player?
You can download a BBC-approved version of Real Player by clicking here.

I can't get my Real Player working, can you help me?
You can find step-by-step instructions for installing and configuring Real Player by clicking here.

Why is Sportsound not available to Listen Again?
Sportsound often contains clips of right-protected action from football matches which prevents the programme from being made available to listen 'on-demand' or via the BBC's Radio Player service.

Can I listen to a podcast of Sportsound?
For contractual reasons, we are unable to make the entire Sportsound programme available as a downloadable podcast. However, we do offer a BBC SPORT Scotland podcast which includes the best of our sport programmes, including Off the Ball, Sports Weekly and Sportsound. You can find the podcast by clicking here. Please note: the BBC Sport Scotland podcast is currently on hold.

What has happened to 90 Minutes?
90 Minutes has been replaced by Midweek Sportsound. You can listen to the Sportsound programme by visiting the Sportsound website and following the link at the top of the page to the daily show, when it is available. Remember, that midweek Sportsound may not always be available if there is a match taking place which is unavailable for contractual reasons.

Can I listen to the games using Windows Media Player?
We currently only offer audio streams of the football matches in narrowband Real Media format, but we often stream video of certain events in both narrowband and broadband, and in Windows Media and Real Media formats. We plan to upgrade all of our streams to be able to offer Windows Media for all of our events, but not for the time being.

My internet service provider is AOL, but I still can't hear the match, what's wrong?
Certain ISPs have their servers located outside of the UK, including AOL. The system which the BBC uses to block users is based on the ISP you use, so if your ISP is located outside of the UK, you may experience problems connecting. In which case, you need to contact your ISP and explain to them that you are having trouble connecting to bbc.co.uk

I'm in the UK, and I still can't hear the match, is there something else wrong?
Sometimes, we experience technical problems delivering the audio of matches. If so, we will usually post a notice on the website informing users that there is a fault with the relevant game. Also, certain browsers 'cache' old copies of webpages, which can often mean the most recent information is not being displayed. If you find yourself experiencing difficulties, hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard and press the F5 key with your internet browser window open, and it should provide you with the latest page.

Click here to return to the Sportsound page.