diff --git a/res/ari/resource_bridges.c b/res/ari/resource_bridges.c
index fafe03aa58..6d77aa5efd 100644
--- a/res/ari/resource_bridges.c
+++ b/res/ari/resource_bridges.c
@@ -311,7 +311,8 @@ static void *bridge_channel_control_thread(void *data)
 	return NULL;
 }
 
-static struct ast_channel *prepare_bridge_media_channel(const char *type)
+static struct ast_channel *prepare_bridge_media_channel(const char *type,
+	struct ast_format *channel_format)
 {
 	RAII_VAR(struct ast_format_cap *, cap, NULL, ao2_cleanup);
 	struct ast_channel *chan;
@@ -321,7 +322,8 @@ static struct ast_channel *prepare_bridge_media_channel(const char *type)
 		return NULL;
 	}
 
-	ast_format_cap_append(cap, ast_format_slin, 0);
+	/* This bumps the format's refcount */
+	ast_format_cap_append(cap, channel_format, 0);
 
 	chan = ast_request(type, cap, NULL, NULL, "ARI", NULL);
 	if (!chan) {
@@ -407,6 +409,7 @@ static int ari_bridges_play_helper(const char **args_media,
 
 static void ari_bridges_play_new(const char **args_media,
 	size_t args_media_count,
+	const char *args_format,
 	const char *args_lang,
 	int args_offset_ms,
 	int args_skipms,
@@ -424,14 +427,64 @@ static void ari_bridges_play_new(const char **args_media,
 	struct stasis_topic *bridge_topic;
 	struct bridge_channel_control_thread_data *thread_data;
 	pthread_t threadid;
+	struct ast_format *channel_format = NULL;
 
 	struct ast_frame prog = {
 		.frametype = AST_FRAME_CONTROL,
 		.subclass.integer = AST_CONTROL_PROGRESS,
 	};
 
+	/*
+	 * Determine the format for the playback channel.
+	 * If a format was specified, use that if it's valid.
+	 * Otherwise, if the bridge is empty, use slin.
+	 * If the bridge has one channel, use that channel's raw write format.
+	 * If the bridge has multiple channels, use the slin format that
+	 * will handle the highest sample rate of the raw write format of all the channels.
+	 */
+	if (!ast_strlen_zero(args_format)) {
+		channel_format = ast_format_cache_get(args_format);
+		if (!channel_format) {
+			ast_ari_response_error(
+				response, 422, "Unprocessable Entity",
+				"specified announcer_format is unknown on this system");
+			return;
+		}
+		/*
+		 * ast_format_cache_get() bumps the refcount but the other calls
+		 * to retrieve formats don't so we'll drop this reference.
+		 * It'll be bumped again in the prepare_bridge_media_channel() call below.
+		 */
+		ao2_ref(channel_format, -1);
+	} else {
+		ast_bridge_lock(bridge);
+		if (bridge->num_channels == 0) {
+			channel_format = ast_format_slin;
+		} else if (bridge->num_channels == 1) {
+			struct ast_bridge_channel *bc = NULL;
+			bc = AST_LIST_FIRST(&bridge->channels);
+			if (bc) {
+				channel_format = ast_channel_rawwriteformat(bc->chan);
+			}
+		} else {
+			struct ast_bridge_channel *bc = NULL;
+			unsigned int max_sample_rate = 0;
+			AST_LIST_TRAVERSE(&bridge->channels, bc, entry) {
+				struct ast_format *fmt = ast_channel_rawwriteformat(bc->chan);
+				max_sample_rate = MAX(ast_format_get_sample_rate(fmt), max_sample_rate);
+			}
+			channel_format = ast_format_cache_get_slin_by_rate(max_sample_rate);
+		}
+		ast_bridge_unlock(bridge);
+	}
 
-	if (!(play_channel = prepare_bridge_media_channel("Announcer"))) {
+	if (!channel_format) {
+		channel_format = ast_format_slin;
+	}
+
+	play_channel = prepare_bridge_media_channel("Announcer", channel_format);
+	ao2_cleanup(channel_format);
+	if (!play_channel) {
 		ast_ari_response_error(
 			response, 500, "Internal Error", "Could not create playback channel");
 		return;
@@ -578,6 +631,7 @@ static void ari_bridges_handle_play(
 	const char *args_bridge_id,
 	const char **args_media,
 	size_t args_media_count,
+	const char *args_format,
 	const char *args_lang,
 	int args_offset_ms,
 	int args_skipms,
@@ -608,7 +662,7 @@ static void ari_bridges_handle_play(
 		return;
 	}
 
-	ari_bridges_play_new(args_media, args_media_count, args_lang, args_offset_ms,
+	ari_bridges_play_new(args_media, args_media_count, args_format, args_lang, args_offset_ms,
 		args_skipms, args_playback_id, response, bridge);
 }
 
@@ -620,6 +674,7 @@ void ast_ari_bridges_play(struct ast_variable *headers,
 	ari_bridges_handle_play(args->bridge_id,
 	args->media,
 	args->media_count,
+	args->announcer_format,
 	args->lang,
 	args->offsetms,
 	args->skipms,
@@ -634,6 +689,7 @@ void ast_ari_bridges_play_with_id(struct ast_variable *headers,
 	ari_bridges_handle_play(args->bridge_id,
 	args->media,
 	args->media_count,
+	args->announcer_format,
 	args->lang,
 	args->offsetms,
 	args->skipms,
@@ -660,6 +716,8 @@ void ast_ari_bridges_record(struct ast_variable *headers,
 	size_t uri_name_maxlen;
 	struct bridge_channel_control_thread_data *thread_data;
 	pthread_t threadid;
+	struct ast_format *file_format = NULL;
+	struct ast_format *channel_format = NULL;
 
 	ast_assert(response != NULL);
 
@@ -667,7 +725,34 @@ void ast_ari_bridges_record(struct ast_variable *headers,
 		return;
 	}
 
-	if (!(record_channel = prepare_bridge_media_channel("Recorder"))) {
+	file_format = ast_get_format_for_file_ext(args->format);
+	if (!file_format) {
+		ast_ari_response_error(
+			response, 422, "Unprocessable Entity",
+			"specified format is unknown on this system");
+		return;
+	}
+
+	if (!ast_strlen_zero(args->recorder_format)) {
+		channel_format = ast_format_cache_get(args->recorder_format);
+		if (!channel_format) {
+			ast_ari_response_error(
+				response, 422, "Unprocessable Entity",
+				"specified recorder_format is unknown on this system");
+			return;
+		}
+		/*
+		 * ast_format_cache_get() bumps the refcount but the other calls
+		 * to retrieve formats don't so we'll drop this reference.
+		 * It'll be bumped again in the prepare_bridge_media_channel() call below.
+		 */
+		ao2_ref(channel_format, -1);
+
+	} else {
+		channel_format = file_format;
+	}
+
+	if (!(record_channel = prepare_bridge_media_channel("Recorder", channel_format))) {
 		ast_ari_response_error(
 			response, 500, "Internal Server Error", "Failed to create recording channel");
 		return;
@@ -728,13 +813,6 @@ void ast_ari_bridges_record(struct ast_variable *headers,
 		return;
 	}
 
-	if (!ast_get_format_for_file_ext(options->format)) {
-		ast_ari_response_error(
-			response, 422, "Unprocessable Entity",
-			"specified format is unknown on this system");
-		return;
-	}
-
 	recording = stasis_app_control_record(control, options);
 	if (recording == NULL) {
 		switch(errno) {
diff --git a/res/ari/resource_bridges.h b/res/ari/resource_bridges.h
index d494d89008..068ac28d60 100644
--- a/res/ari/resource_bridges.h
+++ b/res/ari/resource_bridges.h
@@ -285,6 +285,8 @@ struct ast_ari_bridges_play_args {
 	size_t media_count;
 	/*! Parsing context for media. */
 	char *media_parse;
+	/*! Format of the 'Anouncer' channel attached to the bridge. Defaults to the format of the channel in the bridge with the highest sampe rate. */
+	const char *announcer_format;
 	/*! For sounds, selects language for sound. */
 	const char *lang;
 	/*! Number of milliseconds to skip before playing. Only applies to the first URI if multiple media URIs are specified. */
@@ -327,6 +329,8 @@ struct ast_ari_bridges_play_with_id_args {
 	size_t media_count;
 	/*! Parsing context for media. */
 	char *media_parse;
+	/*! Format of the 'Anouncer' channel attached to the bridge. Defaults to the format of the channel in the bridge with the highest sampe rate. */
+	const char *announcer_format;
 	/*! For sounds, selects language for sound. */
 	const char *lang;
 	/*! Number of milliseconds to skip before playing. Only applies to the first URI if multiple media URIs are specified. */
@@ -363,6 +367,8 @@ struct ast_ari_bridges_record_args {
 	const char *name;
 	/*! Format to encode audio in */
 	const char *format;
+	/*! Format of the 'Recorder' channel attached to the bridge. Defaults to the same format as the 'format' parameter. */
+	const char *recorder_format;
 	/*! Maximum duration of the recording, in seconds. 0 for no limit. */
 	int max_duration_seconds;
 	/*! Maximum duration of silence, in seconds. 0 for no limit. */
diff --git a/res/res_ari_bridges.c b/res/res_ari_bridges.c
index ba649a6ded..465f6e947a 100644
--- a/res/res_ari_bridges.c
+++ b/res/res_ari_bridges.c
@@ -1044,6 +1044,10 @@ int ast_ari_bridges_play_parse_body(
 			args->media[0] = ast_json_string_get(field);
 		}
 	}
+	field = ast_json_object_get(body, "announcer_format");
+	if (field) {
+		args->announcer_format = ast_json_string_get(field);
+	}
 	field = ast_json_object_get(body, "lang");
 	if (field) {
 		args->lang = ast_json_string_get(field);
@@ -1128,6 +1132,9 @@ static void ast_ari_bridges_play_cb(
 				args.media[j] = (vals[j]);
 			}
 		} else
+		if (strcmp(i->name, "announcer_format") == 0) {
+			args.announcer_format = (i->value);
+		} else
 		if (strcmp(i->name, "lang") == 0) {
 			args.lang = (i->value);
 		} else
@@ -1164,6 +1171,7 @@ static void ast_ari_bridges_play_cb(
 	case 501: /* Not Implemented */
 	case 404: /* Bridge not found */
 	case 409: /* Bridge not in a Stasis application */
+	case 422: /* The format specified is unknown on this system */
 		is_valid = 1;
 		break;
 	default:
@@ -1223,6 +1231,10 @@ int ast_ari_bridges_play_with_id_parse_body(
 			args->media[0] = ast_json_string_get(field);
 		}
 	}
+	field = ast_json_object_get(body, "announcer_format");
+	if (field) {
+		args->announcer_format = ast_json_string_get(field);
+	}
 	field = ast_json_object_get(body, "lang");
 	if (field) {
 		args->lang = ast_json_string_get(field);
@@ -1303,6 +1315,9 @@ static void ast_ari_bridges_play_with_id_cb(
 				args.media[j] = (vals[j]);
 			}
 		} else
+		if (strcmp(i->name, "announcer_format") == 0) {
+			args.announcer_format = (i->value);
+		} else
 		if (strcmp(i->name, "lang") == 0) {
 			args.lang = (i->value);
 		} else
@@ -1339,6 +1354,7 @@ static void ast_ari_bridges_play_with_id_cb(
 	case 501: /* Not Implemented */
 	case 404: /* Bridge not found */
 	case 409: /* Bridge not in a Stasis application */
+	case 422: /* The format specified is unknown on this system */
 		is_valid = 1;
 		break;
 	default:
@@ -1377,6 +1393,10 @@ int ast_ari_bridges_record_parse_body(
 	if (field) {
 		args->format = ast_json_string_get(field);
 	}
+	field = ast_json_object_get(body, "recorder_format");
+	if (field) {
+		args->recorder_format = ast_json_string_get(field);
+	}
 	field = ast_json_object_get(body, "maxDurationSeconds");
 	if (field) {
 		args->max_duration_seconds = ast_json_integer_get(field);
@@ -1428,6 +1448,9 @@ static void ast_ari_bridges_record_cb(
 		if (strcmp(i->name, "format") == 0) {
 			args.format = (i->value);
 		} else
+		if (strcmp(i->name, "recorder_format") == 0) {
+			args.recorder_format = (i->value);
+		} else
 		if (strcmp(i->name, "maxDurationSeconds") == 0) {
 			args.max_duration_seconds = atoi(i->value);
 		} else
diff --git a/rest-api/api-docs/bridges.json b/rest-api/api-docs/bridges.json
index 4cd15b9794..ae5ee56fec 100644
--- a/rest-api/api-docs/bridges.json
+++ b/rest-api/api-docs/bridges.json
@@ -490,6 +490,14 @@
 							"allowMultiple": true,
 							"dataType": "string"
 						},
+						{
+							"name": "announcer_format",
+							"description": "Format of the 'Anouncer' channel attached to the bridge. Defaults to the format of the channel in the bridge with the highest sampe rate.",
+							"paramType": "query",
+							"required": false,
+							"allowMultiple": false,
+							"dataType": "string"
+						},
 						{
 							"name": "lang",
 							"description": "For sounds, selects language for sound.",
@@ -510,7 +518,6 @@
 								"valueType": "RANGE",
 								"min": 0
 							}
-
 						},
 						{
 							"name": "skipms",
@@ -542,6 +549,10 @@
 						{
 							"code": 409,
 							"reason": "Bridge not in a Stasis application"
+						},
+						{
+							"code": 422,
+							"reason": "The format specified is unknown on this system"
 						}
 					]
 				}
@@ -585,6 +596,14 @@
 							"allowMultiple": true,
 							"dataType": "string"
 						},
+						{
+							"name": "announcer_format",
+							"description": "Format of the 'Anouncer' channel attached to the bridge. Defaults to the format of the channel in the bridge with the highest sampe rate.",
+							"paramType": "query",
+							"required": false,
+							"allowMultiple": false,
+							"dataType": "string"
+						},
 						{
 							"name": "lang",
 							"description": "For sounds, selects language for sound.",
@@ -628,6 +647,10 @@
 						{
 							"code": 409,
 							"reason": "Bridge not in a Stasis application"
+						},
+						{
+							"code": 422,
+							"reason": "The format specified is unknown on this system"
 						}
 					]
 
@@ -672,6 +695,14 @@
 							"allowMultiple": false,
 							"dataType": "string"
 						},
+						{
+							"name": "recorder_format",
+							"description": "Format of the 'Recorder' channel attached to the bridge. Defaults to the same format as the 'format' parameter.",
+							"paramType": "query",
+							"required": false,
+							"allowMultiple": false,
+							"dataType": "string"
+						},
 						{
 							"name": "maxDurationSeconds",
 							"description": "Maximum duration of the recording, in seconds. 0 for no limit.",