Couldn't think of, or find, a forum here or elsewhere to post this. I'll see what kind of traffic I get here.

I am using VRadio to stream local radio stations and various other nationwide streams on my Android phone, as well as my car's Android head unit. I am not a fan of Tune-In, iHeart, Audacy, etc.. since none of those provide streams for all the local radio I want to listen to. With VRadio, I can load the streams to all my favorite radio and have access to all of them in one simple app.

The issue is that some of the local streams play a pre-roll commercial prior to actually joining the station's actual broadcast. Sometimes it's a 30 second spot and then the stream plays. Other times, it seems like it will play 3 or more minutes of commercials. And...if I move to a different station then go back, it will sometimes start the pre-roll commercial again.

Accidently, I discovered on my phone (Cricket/AT&T) that if I start my VPN (even connecting to the same city I'm already in), then launch VRadio, I can choose ANY station and it will join the broadcast in progress...no annoying pre-roll commercials, ever!

I tried the same process with my car head unit (EIOTClub data only sim using AT&T/TMO) but the pre-roll commercials still play. I am connecting to the same VPN location in the car as with my phone, the VRadio app is signed into the same account as my phone, but the VPN doesn't stop the pre-roll commercials the same as on my phone.

I am curious if anyone knows why the VPN would act differently on the phone vs the car. ANy thoughts are appreciated!

P.S. On another note, if I change the car's VPN to a location outside the US, then the stations will connect automatically to the stream with no pre-roll ads. However, several other local stations won't play then because they can't provide streams outside of the US,for whatever reason.