CBC Listen is where Live Radio shows, CBC Podcasts and CBC Music Playlists live - all in one place.
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about cbc.ca/listen. If you have questions specifically about the CBC Listen App, please go here.
FAQs
How do I find my favourite radio shows?
A stream is not working for me. What can I do?
I’m having trouble playing the audio. What browsers are supported?
How many tracks can I skip when listening to CBC Music Playlists?
Can I access CBC Listen content outside of Canada?
I am in Canada. Why can't I listen to all the Music Playlists?
How do you know what region I’m in?
Is there an app version of the new CBC Listen?
Will CBC Listen web and CBC Listen apps be synced (like my other streaming accounts)?
Where can I find blog posts from CBC Music?
Do I need to have Flash to listen to live streams or clips?
Answers
How do I find my favourite radio shows?
There are two ways for you to find a radio show. You can click/tap on the show name when it’s Live via cbc.ca/listen. Or you can click/tap on the show name in the On Demand section. With both options, you'll be brought to a page that will have a list of all radio show episodes and segments that we have available for online listening. If you don't see your show right away, use the site search at the top of the page.
If you want to subscribe to our Radio show podcasts, you can find them on your favourite Podcast apps, such as Apple Podcasts or Google Play.
A stream is not working for me. What can I do?
If you are currently experiencing difficulty accessing content on the site, there are a few simple steps you can take to get it up and running again!
- Clear your browser’s history of its cache and cookies. Old bits of information saved by your browser can interfere with your ability to get a fresh 'read' of a site. Your browser’s history can be accessed through the drop-down menu option labelled “Settings”, usually found in the upper-right-hand corner of the screen.
- Make sure that cookies are enabled on your browser.
- Disable any Adblocking software that may be preventing content from playing. Certain adblocking programs can interrupt a stream as it attempts to launch.
- Update your browser. Installing the most recent version will often automatically correct the issues which are causing the problem. Please be aware that if you update your browser, you may need to enable cookies again.
If the issue persists after trying all the above please contact us through the Help Centre.
I’m having trouble playing the audio. What browsers are supported?
We support Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge.
How many tracks can I skip when listening to CBC Music Playlists?
CBC Music Playlists enables continuous play of curated music with up to 6 skips per hour. If you skip 6 tracks in an hour, rest-assured that the skip counter automatically resets when you reach the next hour.
Can I create my own playlist?
Unfortunately, we cannot offer the option to create custom playlists at this time. All existing playlists are curated by the music lovers who work at CBC Music, who are always open to suggestions on how we can make the playlists better. If there is a song you would like CBC to add, please contact us.
Can I access CBC Listen content outside of Canada?
You will always be able to access Live Streams and our CBC Podcasts - wherever you are. Selected On Demand and all CBC Music Playlists are subject to location restrictions and can only be enjoyed in Canada. Most of your favourite previously aired Radio One programs will be available for streaming.
I am in Canada. Why can't I listen to all the Music Playlists?
If you live in Canada and cannot access the Music Playlists, please check with your internet service provider (ISP) to ensure they have assigned you a Canadian IP address. They must also confirm their service is neither based in the U.S. or routes through the U.S. Either of these factors would mean the IP address would not appear to be Canadian and therefore would be blocked.
If your IP is in Canada, but you still cannot access our content, please reach out to us and provide your IP address.
To learn more about what an IP Address is and how to check yours, please see this link.
How do you know what region I’m in?
We try to use the information your internet connection provides us. We can’t find out where exactly you are, or anything about what you’re doing, but we try to find your region so we can deliver the Live audio that is relevant to you. If you are not getting the correct region, it might be an issue with your internet provider.
Is there an app version of the new CBC Listen?
Yes! You can read all about it in this Help Centre article.
Will CBC Listen web and CBC Listen apps be synced (like my other streaming accounts)?
At this time, the web and app experience are independent of one another. However, we are looking at ways to merge the experiences in the future.
Where can I find blog posts and articles from CBC Music?
To find music blogs and articles please visit https://www.cbcmusic.ca/
Do I need to have Flash to listen to live streams or clips?
No. Our player no longer requires Adobe Flash, so you should be able to enjoy our audio without needing to update/download Flash.