Abstract: The inventions provides a method, software program and system for processing audio data streams (206) transmitted in a communications network. In one aspect of the invention a method of processing audio data streams comprises the steps of: i) (404) receiving a plurality of audio data streams (206) transmitted from one or more audio data stream transmitters (306) distributed in the network; ii) (408) processing data relating to at least one respective network resource parameter to determine respective network resources available for subsequent communication of the audio data streams to at least one respective audio data stream receiver (306); iii) (412) comparing available resources with respective network resource requirements necessary for communicating the audio streams to at least one respective audio data stream receiver; and, (412,414,416) determining whether to mix selected audio data streams prior to transmission in response to the comparison (412).