iTunes Radio skipping songs

I am seeing the same problem. iTunes radio works fine on Mac or iPhone using the hotspot, but not using the cox network. All other internet functions appear to be working fine, and I'm getting good speed test results (~30MB download). We just spent an hour on the phone with Apple tech support and tried a variety of things on multiple devices (Macs and iPads) with nothing solved. 

Becky,

Thank you for the follow-up. I looked into it further with Apple support, and found an extensive discussion about the problem, referenced here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6868044?start=0&tstart=0

It sounds like the problem is related to Cox DNS servers. Using other DNS servers solves the problem. I didn't see any reports on that thread from non-Cox customers. The referenced Cox trouble ticket numbers may be useful in getting to the bottom of this. It's still a problem for me at this time (3/13/15 7pm MST)

Read through that posts, and while a work around was to use 3rd party DNS, the thread later went on to report that some people on Cox DNS didn't have the problem. Also, at the end, people who had the problem with Cox DNS were able to switch back to Cox DNS and not have the problem. My guess is it was a DNS propagation issue. First, for context, a brief overview of what DNS is and how it works. As shown, there is a certain order to how DNS updates itself, and depending on how different DNS are set up (TTL) some will take longer than others to update. Google's DNS(8.8.8.8) is very dynamic and quick changing, so that's probably why Apple support is using it. So I think Apple probably broke something on their side, and they patched it, but that change took a while to affect Cox customers. 

Also, if using another DNS fixed the problem, why do you later say the problem is ongoing? Do you not want to use non-Cox DNS? I could see being against it if it only was a band-fix, but it can help with security and performance as well. And if your anti-Google, you can still use their program Namebench to scan MANY different DNS to see which is best in your particular area.

I just tried the google DNS on my router and as others have reported, it fixes the problem on all my devices.  If I delete the manual DNS entry and revert to the Cox DNS, the problem returns.

Health Edge, I'm not sure if your questions are directed to me, but no, I don't have a problem with a non-Cox DNS, but I think Cox should fix the problem and not require their customers to configure a work-around like this. Maybe as you say, it's a DNS propagation issue and it will take care of itself eventually, but it's been 3-4 days since initially reported.

I was having this same issue. Found the thread on Apple's support forums and have changed my DNS settings and everything seems to working just fine. I'm using Level3's DNS. Hopefully Cox can find a fix.

Mike A said:
Maybe as you say, it's a DNS propagation issue and it will take care of itself eventually, but it's been 3-4 days since initially reported.

Since other people using Cox DNS are not having a problem, it could also be a issue with DNS propagation inside Cox network. But also make sure you're clearing your DNS cache in between switching DNS for accurate testing.

What DNS is DHCP giving your router? I might be able to dig and report exactly which DNS servers are reporting what incorrectly. I will have to switch to Cox DNS and test Itunes first for a accurate comparsion though. Overall I think you're right, it is part of Cox responsibility to research this problem, I was just trying to clarify what I see the problem is so to help with that process. What makes it frustrating is we might be banging our heads against the wall all the while the problem is being fixed by Cox, or even becomes fixed automatically.

Last, did you try using the alternative Cox DNS given in the post? Do those work? They are what my router is getting from Cox via DHCP here in RI. I have Itunes listening to the Radiohead stream. No skipping short term but will monitor and report.

68.105.28.13
68.105.29.13

I was able to replicate the problem on DNS 68.105.28.13 around 11:40p EST after playing Itunes radio 15-20mins. After a song ended, but before the next one loaded, Itunes would just stall. I could close and re-open, but selecting last station still didn't start audio. I also tried resetting my connection, dumping DNS cache, and choosing other options in Itunes and going back to Radio. What I did to resolve (temp?) was pick another radio station, then as soon as that starts playing choose the original again. My guess is its something with the system that runs commercials based on your listening habits, or something wrong with where the ads are coming from. But the selecting another channel and going back was a fix I used when I started having similar problems with Pandora on a Squeezebox. That was caused by the devices inability to understand the ad redirect, and was permanently fixed by upgrading to a Pay account. 

I am getting DNS servers of 68.105.28.11 and .12 via DHCP, and the behavior is different from what you describe. I get no audio on any channel, however a song title is shown with a solid blue progress bar. If I manually enter 68.105.28.13, iTunes works correctly.

Mike A said:
If I manually enter 68.105.28.13, iTunes works correctly.

So it's not a general Cox DNS problem, but one that is local to certain DNS servers. I will do some digging tomorrow and see what I find. I am also having a problem with songs not playing, but I can get around by either loading another station, or telling the client to skip to next song. As soon as I do, a ad will play, and then audio will continue, which makes me believe the ad is what is causing the problem some how. Im trying to track down the domain/ports that Itunes uses, which seems to usually be TCP/UDP 8000-9000 and TCP/UDP 42000-42999, so I can see what domain/IP Itunes used for radio. However, I can't find these domain active via netstat on my router or from CMD. Some of the data is being confused by the other activity on my PC/network though.

Also, not sure if me having my Bonjour service disabled is making my symptoms less severe. Do you know if you have your's enabled? It is by default unless you disabled it. 

I thought I was loosing my mind. Have reset my ITunes match multiple times, eating at my data usage trying to download and troubleshoot everything for days now and my families iTunes accounts.  Will definitely be switching up some DNS settings tonight.

It may be premature to report it, but my iTunes radio has started working in the last few hours, using the default Cox DNS 68.105.28.11. I have no idea if they fixed something, or if the DNS updates finally propagated to the Cox servers or something else is going on. But so far so good!

There seems two separate problems going on with Itunes right now. One is the audio stopping between songs, but the other is static/bad audio. First one seems to have been resolved and was a DNS issue, but second one has to do with Itunes update and conflict with some audio cards. Just FYI incase someone comes across this thread with one problem, and thinks its the other.

Now if I can only get my Ipad to backup. ::shakes fist at Itunes:: Thank goodness for VLC.

I'm still running into issues with this, on my iPhone and Mac. DNS is 68.105.28.12, 68.105.29.12, 68.105.28.11. Switching off WiFi and using Verizon LTE fixes instantly.