Update on access to �鶹�� Sounds outside the UK

Earlier this year, we launched a new audio service outside the UK on �鶹��.com and the �鶹�� app. This includes access to �鶹�� Radio 4 and �鶹�� World Service English, thousands of hours of podcasts (including Global News Podcast, World of Secrets and Infinite Monkey Cage) – as well as some of the best of the �鶹��'s journalism and storytelling including news and history programming.

As part of the announcement, we said we planned to close �鶹�� Sounds to audiences living outside the UK later this year, making it available exclusively to people in the UK. Anyone who lives in the UK will still be able to use the �鶹�� Sounds app when they go on holiday abroad. We can now confirm that �鶹�� Sounds closed for listeners based outside the UK on 21 July 2025.

For listeners outside the UK interested in ongoing access to the �鶹�� radio stations following the closure, we've added a directory below that will allow for live listening to all of our �鶹�� radio stations. This includes the �鶹��'s music stations – �鶹�� Radio 1, Radio 2, and Radio 3, 6Music, 1Xtra and Asian Network, Radio 4Xtra and 5Live, all the �鶹��'s stations from the UK nations and every local radio station in England. �鶹�� Radio 4 and �鶹�� World Service English remain available on �鶹��.com and the �鶹�� app.

To install the �鶹�� app on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, head to the Apple App Store.
To install the �鶹�� app on your Android phone or tablet, head to the Google Play Store.

Frequently asked questions

Content availability

Where can I listen to live �鶹�� stations outside the UK?

�鶹�� Radio 4 and �鶹�� World Service English are available on �鶹��.com and the �鶹�� app. Please use the links below for live listening access to the �鶹��'s other radio stations from across the UK, including �鶹�� Radio 1, Radio 2 and Radio 3, 6Music, 1Xtra and Asian Network, Radio 4Xtra and 5Live, all the �鶹��'s stations from the UK nations and every local radio station in England.

If you have difficulty playing these stations because the link opens the �鶹�� Sounds App, please delete the �鶹�� Sounds App from the device you are using. Once deleted, the links will open the website and you will be able to play the stations from there.

Local Radio

Please note that the �鶹�� Sounds schedule pages for each of the stations listed above will not be available outside the UK. While many programmes are available on-demand on bbc.com/�鶹�� app, not all �鶹�� radio content will be available for on-demand listening. We have to balance the rights we have to content along with our available resources. We hope this gets the balance right.

In addition, listening to �鶹�� audio programming on non-�鶹�� platforms will not be affected by this change.

What content is available on �鶹��.com and the �鶹�� app?

Over 1,000 current and archived �鶹�� podcasts, including hits like Global News Podcast, You're Dead to Me and Infinite Monkey Cage, plus �鶹�� Radio 4 and World Service stations.

How long are programmes available for?

Most of the �鶹��'s programmes are available to listen to on demand. If you're listening to a series, check that all the episodes are currently available so that you don't miss out on any parts of the story.

Episode availability is clearly displayed both on the �鶹�� website and on the �鶹�� app.

�鶹��.com website: Each episode's current availability will be displayed underneath the playback screen, just above each episode description.

�鶹�� app: Tap on the episode and scroll down to see how long that episode is still available for.

Why are some radio programmes and podcasts not available?

Due to rights limitations, not all �鶹�� content can be made available to international users on �鶹��.com and the �鶹�� app. We endeavour to provide a comprehensive listening experience to our audience with thousands of podcasts available. We will continually be adding more content.

Will �鶹�� radio stations still be available outside the UK?

Following the closure of the �鶹�� Sounds product outside the UK on 21 July 2025, we have made alternative arrangements for listeners to continue accessing �鶹�� radio stations internationally.

Whilst the �鶹�� Radio 4 and �鶹�� World Service English live streams remain available via �鶹��.com and the �鶹�� app, other �鶹�� stations – such as our music stations (Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3, 6 Music, 1Xtra, Asian Network), Radio 4Xtra and 5Live as well as all the �鶹��'s stations from the UK nations and every local radio station in England – can still be streamed live via the links below.

Will I be able to access Welsh language and Gaelic podcasts following the closure of �鶹�� Sounds outside the UK?

Yes, a range of Welsh and Gaelic podcasts will continue to be available internationally via bbc.com/audio and the �鶹�� app.

Closure of �鶹�� Sounds

When will �鶹�� Sounds become unavailable outside the UK?

We can confirm that �鶹�� Sounds closed outside the UK on Monday, 21 July 2025.

Why did you make this change?

�鶹�� Studios is a commercial subsidiary of the �鶹�� and is focused on bringing our trusted, world class journalism and storytelling to international audiences. Earlier this year, �鶹�� Studios launched a new audio section on bbc.com/the �鶹�� app (a commercial service) outside the UK.

Revenue generated by these services is returned to the �鶹�� to support its public purpose in the UK.

As part of this announcement, we said we would close �鶹�� Sounds outside the UK – and make it exclusively available to listeners in the UK.

For how long will UK residents be able to use �鶹�� Sounds whilst abroad?

UK listeners who go on holiday will still be able to use the �鶹�� Sounds app abroad for around a month

How to use audio in �鶹��.com and �鶹�� app

How can I search for specific audio content?

You can search for specific audio content using keywords, titles or contributors in the search bar at the top of the �鶹�� app or �鶹��.com website.

Are there categories to help me find content?

Yes, you can explore content through categories such as News and History.

Can I download audio content for offline listening?

Yes, downloading audio podcasts is now supported in the latest version of the �鶹�� mobile app.

To download an episode, simply search for the podcast or browse via the homepage, categories, or schedules. On the podcast episode page, tap the 'Download' option near the top of the screen.

To access your downloaded content:

Go to More in the app menu (‘More’ is accessed via the app’s footer menu, visible at the bottom of your screen on Index pages.)
Tap Saved Items
Navigate to the Downloads section

From there, you can play your downloaded podcasts by tapping the play icon, or remove them by swiping the individual podcast to the left.

Will I need to be signed into �鶹�� account to listen to Audio?

No, you don't need to be signed in to listen to audio. However, a �鶹�� account will be required to follow, save, or download content.

Visit �鶹�� account help if you need help or support with signing up for a �鶹�� account.

Forgotten your password? See How do I change my password? for information on what to do.
Need to change the email address associated with your account? Visit the How do I update my email address? page on the �鶹�� account website.

Why have I lost all my subscribed and bookmarked content from �鶹�� Sounds?

Unfortunately, your subscribed and bookmarked content is not transferred automatically. You'll need to manually set up your subscriptions and bookmarks again. Please log into your �鶹�� account and add it to your new "Follow" and "Saved" lists.

I'm in the UK. Why am I presented with �鶹�� Audio instead of �鶹�� Sounds?

It is likely you are using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) and are accessing �鶹��.com, which is intended for audiences outside the UK. If you disable your VPN, you should be redirected back to bbc.co.uk, intended for UK users.

You may find something that doesn't work within Audio for �鶹��.com or �鶹�� app as you expected it to. If that's the case, please let us know by sending a message. We read every piece of feedback and give it serious consideration as we develop our plans to improve the �鶹��.com site and the �鶹�� app.

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�鶹�� podcasts and audio are now on �鶹��.com