# Moving to Modern Streaming: Introducing AAC HLS on SoundCloud APIs \[Deadline Extended\]

DevFeed: [Moving to Modern Streaming: Introducing AAC HLS on SoundCloud APIs \[Deadline Extended\]](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/moving-to-modern-streaming-introducing-aac-hls-on-soundcloud-apis-deadline-extended-1992.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://developers.soundcloud.com/blog//api-streaming-urls>)

Published: 2025-09-15T00:00:00Z

Content type: release

Language: en

Sources: [SoundCloud Backstage Blog](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/soundcloud-backstage-blog.md>)

Topics: [Streaming](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/streaming.md>), [Playback](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/playback.md>), [Transcodings](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/transcodings.md>), [API](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/api.md>), [migration](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/migration.md>), [Availability](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/availability.md>), [HTTP](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/http.md>)

Tags: [announcements](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/announcements.md>), [api](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/api.md>), [apis](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/apis.md>), [audio](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/audio.md>), [availability](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/availability.md>), [github](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/github.md>), [http](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/http.md>), [improvements](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/improvements.md>), [integration](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/integration.md>), [migration](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/migration.md>), [streaming](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/streaming.md>), [transcodings](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/transcodings.md>)

## AI overview

SoundCloud is introducing AAC-based HLS streams through its APIs to improve audio quality, playback consistency, and device support. The new hls_aac_160_url and hls_aac_96_url fields will replace existing MP3 and Opus stream URLs, which are scheduled for removal on December 31, 2025, while preview_mp3_128_url remains available for preview use cases.

## Source excerpt

At SoundCloud, we're always looking for ways to improve the listening experience for our creators, partners, and listeners. One of the...