BBC Radio 3 Unwind is a 24/7 digital stream launched on November 4, 2024, on BBC Sounds. I gather that it streams at an adaptive bitrate ranging from 48 to 96 kbps in AAC+ format, which to audiophiles makes it equivalent to a pixelated 16bit game in a hi-def 64bit world.
It’s only available in via BBC Sounds on one’s phone (and I presume also via supported smart speakers). There appear to be no plans to make it available to non-tracked digital stream providers. This seems inline with the Sounds team’s fixation on collecting listening data.
I was wondering, is anyone listening to it? What are your thoughts?
I’ve listened to this occasionally. Mostly in bed through headphones. At the moment they are playing Debussy Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune as part of a programme called Classical Wind Down. As with other Sounds streams these can be rewound and sent to smart speakers via Bluetooth or Airplay. Sometimes there are meditative or mindfulness instructions. Sleeping Forecast at night made me smile. It is a kind of musical wallpaper. I listen to lots of strange stuff including New Music Show on R3, Night Tracks and 'Round Midnight so I’m unlikely to listen to Unwind much. But easy classics and ambiance are currently popular.