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BBC podcasts don't sync on Spotify

I cannot get BBC podcasts to sync in Spotify, status remains at 0%. I'm in the UK so should have no licencing issues.  All other non BBC podcasts sync.

Anyone else have this issue or reducedr it?

  • I have the same problem by BBC and also by global news. Really bad from Garmin und Spotiy that there is no solution

  • Sadly this issue still isn't resolved

  • I listen to Kermode & Mayo, Newscast and Friday night comedy all from the BBC as well as the economist podcasts all on my FR645. I just use Garmin Connect and iTunes on Windows 10. I set up a couple of podcast playlists add them in the order I want to listen to them connect the watch and add to the device. The subscriptions are set in iTunes so the whole operation takes a couple of minutes, I usually hook the watch up go get changed and its ready to go with a battery boost to boot.

    On a side note I also listen to Above & Beyond Group Therapy which would only play the first 60s of a 2 hour podcast despite getting successful upload message. The downloads were M4A format which the watch doesn't seem to like so to get them to play I had to convert them to Mp3. It might be an idea to see what format those Spotify podcasts are coming in. 

  • Hi,
    So you are creating Podcast playlists in iTunes? Or in the Spotify window of iTunes?

    Sorry to ask, but I am on an android device and dumbfounded that I need workarounds for a basic feature which works with other podcast providers.

    Thanks!
    Nick

  • Hey Nick, I am creating the playlists in iTunes. I use the 645 exclusively for running so I usually know how long the workout will take so I can add fresh podcasts in the order I want without having to stop and fiddle with the watch mid-run. You don't have to create playlists you can just add podcasts individually through Garmin Express on the computer as it links to iTunes or from the music library on the PC. 

    I don't use Spotify so I can't comment on how well that all works, I have used the PC from day one to add media to the watch so for me it's not a workaround. It does seem odd that a platform as big as Spotify and a provider as big as the BBC doesn't work seamlessly. I suspect its got something to do with format and licensing issues, like the M4A problem I had with A&B podcast.

    I should add that I am not in the UK but since I do everything via vpn I don't think that makes any difference. I do know that my weekend long run without "Wittertainment" for company would feel a lot longer... Glad to do anything I can to help fellow members of the church get their fix on the move ;) 

    Regards

    Andy

  • I believe the issue is with the BBC controlling where it's podcasts are played from in an attempt to get people to use BBC Sounds app, for example BBC prevents podcasts bring played via Google podcast app and it is likely to be the same with this watch and Spotify.

  • Garmin should give feedback on why items are not syncing ("this podcast cannot be synced due to restrictions by the provider...") as I spent way too much time trying to figure this out.  That said, I just installed Podcast by LucaSax from the Connect IQ store and it works well with BBC Podcasts.

  • Thanks so much for the heads up on the new Podcast app - and indeed you can add podcasts which aren't available through Spotify. I might get involved in that project - it's all open source.

  • So why is this still an issue? What can be done to prioritise a solution it’s really frustrating!