Listening outside the UK

Why are there advertisements on podcasts accessed outside the UK?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:43:36 +0000

Why are there advertisements on podcasts accessed outside the UK?

On 1st May 2018, the �鶹�� introduced advertising on podcasts delivered outside the UK.

If you're in the UK and are incorrectly getting advertising on podcasts, visit the following page for help resolving this: I'm in the UK. Why am I getting advertisements on podcasts?

Anonymous (not verified) 03 October 2019

Will my podcasts download automatically while I'm away on holiday?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:43:36 +0000

Will my podcasts download automatically while I'm away on holiday?

That depends on the podcast software you use.

Most podcast software will check podcast feeds regularly and download new episodes automatically. However, it may require you making sure your computer or device is switched on, connected to the internet, and that your podcast software is running. This may not be possible or practical, so you may need to make other arrangements (e.g. asking a friend to download episodes on your behalf).

Check how long the podcast is available for

If you have subscribed to a �鶹�� podcast, but are going to be away on holiday for a while, please note that some podcast episodes are only available for seven days before being removed. That means that if you're away for longer than seven days your chosen podcast(s) might not be available to download when you get back. To find out more about podcast episode availability, please see our How long are podcasts available for? page.

Anonymous (not verified) 03 October 2019

Can I use �鶹�� Sounds when I travel outside the UK?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:45:45 +0000

Can I use �鶹�� Sounds when I travel outside the UK?

Notice: If you live outside the UK, �鶹�� Sounds is now unavailable. For details on how you can continue to listen to live �鶹�� radio and podcasts, please visit the help page at �鶹��.com.

UK listeners who go on holiday abroad can continue to use the �鶹�� Sounds app for around a month each time they go on holiday abroad.

If you are abroad for over a month, please refer to the bbc.com radio directory on how to listen to live �鶹�� radio and �鶹�� Podcasts.

Why can't I listen to certain programmes outside the UK?

For rights reasons, we might not be able to make certain content available outside of the UK. For example:

certain sports coverage
some music content (particularly classical music or live concerts)

When we restrict a live radio stream outside the UK, you’ll hear “This content is unavailable due to technical or rights reasons.” If an on-demand programme is restricted, you'll see a "Sorry, this content can only be played in the UK" message on the app and a “Not available” message on the website.

If you're in the UK but you're seeing or hearing a message telling you that certain content isn't available, check our Why do you think I'm outside the UK? page for more advice.

Can I download programmes or podcasts while I'm outside the UK?

You can download most of our podcasts (depending on rights) from the �鶹�� Sounds app or website from outside of the UK. Find out how:

For rights reasons, you can't download radio programmes (that haven't been made into podcasts) from outside the UK.

Anonymous (not verified) 03 October 2019

How do I use �鶹�� Sounds if I live outside the UK?

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 11:10:03 +0000

How do I use �鶹�� Sounds if I live outside the UK?

If you live outside the UK, �鶹�� Sounds is now unavailable.

For details on how you can continue to listen to live �鶹�� radio and podcasts, please visit the help page at �鶹��.com.

Anonymous (not verified) 28 September 2020

Why do you think I'm outside the UK?

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 13:50:02 +0000

Why do you think I'm outside the UK?

If you live in the UK and are being redirected to �鶹��.com/audio or blocked from accessing �鶹�� Sounds, it may be because we think you're outside the UK. In that case, you'll be directed to bbc.com (for international users) instead of bbc.co.uk (for UK audiences), or you may be unable to use the �鶹�� Sounds app.

In February 2025, �鶹��.com launched a new audio experience, replacing links to Sounds. You can read more about this at �鶹��.com: �鶹�� Podcasts and audio are now available on �鶹��.com.

Why do you think I'm outside the UK?

There are several reasons why we think you're outside the UK. The most common are either:

Your IP address, which is the address websites use to determine where in the world you are, not being registered in the UK
You are using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), proxy, or similar service which masks your IP address

But you can do something about it.

This page will explain what can be done and will also list other possible reasons why this could be happening and what to do.

Using a VPN or proxy? Try disabling it.

If you are using a VPN or proxy service and are in the UK, try disabling it to see if that helps. If we detect you might be using a VPN, you’ll be unable to play UK-restricted programmes. This is because we need to be confident you're in the UK, and if you're using a VPN or proxy, we can't detect reliably where you are.
Maybe your IP address isn't registered in the UK?

If your ISP (Internet Service Provider) has supplied you with a recently created or newly sourced IP address, it may be that it hasn't been registered correctly or sometimes it may just take a few weeks for the various databases across the internet and our own database to be updated to recognise the IP address as being located within the UK.

You should check with your ISP whether this could be the case before deciding to contact our support team.
Check your IP address yourself

While not definitive, there are various IP checking websites, such as www.whatismyip.com or www.whatismyipaddress.com for example, that will list your IP address, where it believes you are, whether any services (such as a VPN) are being used, and what ISP the address is registered with.

If those details are different to what you believe are correct, contact your ISP as it's possible the IP address has been recently obtained by your ISP, or it may not be registered correctly, or is awaiting certain databases to be added, which could take a few weeks.

If you are going to contact our support team, please include your ISP details.
Web accelerator

If you're using a web accelerator, try disabling it to see if that helps.
Work computer

Some companies and organisations might have an internal network which routes data outside the UK. It's worth checking with your company's IT support to confirm.
Tor Network

If you are using or participating in the Tor network, be aware that you need to use a Tor relay node for our systems to confirm you are in the UK.
Using a mobile device?

In addition to the above guidance, check whether any data reduction features are set in your browser settings as some mobile browsers route data outside the UK when data reduction features are used.

Chrome may refer to this as ‘Reduce data usage’ in Bandwidth Management and Opera may refer to this as ‘off road’ or ‘Turbo mode’ depending on your browser version. And remember to check your browser is up to date. You can also try another browser.

Also, data compression apps may route data outside the UK, so try disabling them.
Subscribed to podcasts?

On 1st May 2018, the �鶹�� introduced advertising on podcasts delivered outside the UK. If podcasts you’re subscribed to download automatically when they become available and you spot the odd podcast with advertisements even though you're in the UK, it's possible that one of the above circumstances (like being on a VPN enabled network) may have occurred when the podcast was downloaded.

Anonymous (not verified) 26 September 2023

Changes for listening to �鶹�� audio outside the UK

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 10:00:03 +0000

Changes for listening to �鶹�� audio outside the UK

Earlier this year, �鶹�� Studios launched a new audio service outside the UK on �鶹��.com and the �鶹�� app. This includes �鶹�� Radio 4, �鶹�� World Service English and access to thousands of hours of podcasts.

As part of the announcement, we said we planned to close �鶹�� Sounds to audiences living outside the UK. We can now confirm that �鶹�� Sounds has closed for listeners based outside the UK.

Can I still listen to live �鶹�� radio if I’m based outside the UK?

Yes. Our radio stations continue to be available for people outside the UK to listen to live. If you live overseas, how you access live radio stations may change.

Please refer to the station directory on �鶹��.com where you can find links to listen to �鶹�� radio stations from across the UK. This includes the �鶹��’s music stations - �鶹�� Radio 1, Radio 2, and Radio 3, 6 Music, 1Xtra and Asian Network, Radio 4 Extra and 5 Live, all the �鶹��’s stations from the UK nations and every local radio station in England. �鶹�� Radio 4 and �鶹�� World Service English is available on �鶹��.com already and will continue to be.

Note: 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.

Listening to �鶹�� audio programming on non-�鶹�� platforms will not be affected by this change.

Can I still listen to �鶹�� Podcasts?

Yes. A range of English, Welsh and Gaelic language podcasts are available on �鶹��.com/audio and third-party podcast services.

I live in the UK, can I use the Sounds app on holiday abroad?

Yes. Anyone who lives in the UK can still use the �鶹�� Sounds app when they go on holiday abroad for around a month. Visit our FAQ : Can I use �鶹�� Sounds when I travel outside the UK?

Why did the �鶹�� 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 and 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.

Can I still listen to �鶹�� Proms outside the UK?

Yes. People living in the UK can still listen to the Proms while on holiday abroad on the �鶹�� Sounds app.

And listeners outside the UK can listen to the Proms live anywhere in the world using the link to �鶹�� Radio 3 in the directory on �鶹��.com.

Any content on alternative platforms is not affected by this change.

Further information and Support for International listeners

To find out more about accessing �鶹�� radio and podcasts outside the UK or if you are seeking support, visit the �鶹��.com Audio FAQ.

Anonymous (not verified) 06 March 2025