Hi HM, did you get to the bottom of this, same issue with me. I've contacted the BBC, but all they've suggested so far is to change the location, which I've done and no joy.
BBC iPlayer won't play BBC1 Live local news, thinks I'm on HD. Location is already set to London.
Feedback Description - Feedback Summary - BBC iPlayer won't play BBC1 Live local news, shows a message saying I'm on HD. Location is already set to London, as suggested on the original BBC reply.
Feedback Description - I have the bbc iPlayer app on my Roku Streaming Stick+. I have changed the settings to SD and I can' t get local BBC news on BBC1 Live, it tells me I'm on HD.
App Version: 16.39.1.0; Bigscreen Version: 4.1.1
Build Identifier: Mon Oct 19 2020
Framework Version: 11.1.5, Config prebuilt-11.1.5
Device: Roku Streamer 2017 3810EU Amarillo
Launched: live, Environment: LIVE, Domain: bbctvapps
Colour Depth: 32 bits-per-pixel