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Discuss your favourite podcast, radio show or The Archers episode.

Noooo!!! BBC Sounds App no longer usable outside of the UK

16 replies

deeahgwitch · 27/07/2025 20:26

I’m so disappointed. I used to be able to listen to Desert Island Discs and the Sliced Bread podcast and other programmes recommended on Mumsnet on the BBC Sounds app but this is no longer available to listeners outside the UK.
🥲

OP posts:
Neolara · 27/07/2025 20:41

I'm in France and just had a go at listening to it. Works fine for me.

sofiamofia · 27/07/2025 20:45

Both those podcasts are on Spotify.

I'm not in the UK and BBC Sounds is still working for me though

Agapornis · 27/07/2025 22:04

Here on Spotify, or on any other podcast app of your choice. There are very few shows that are exclusive to BBC Sounds - I think only inane ones like the sycophantic Archers one, and maybe some celebrity dross (or perhaps that should be Dross Wink)
https://open.spotify.com/show/2T28kNzyAOX64ahUz5oyXa?si=rAdNzs5wS_CX5tQtp7AIkQ

https://open.spotify.com/show/3Snkj6OUc5NFt58pggtQeo?si=8uQ4_k36Q--006VuY7_YtQ

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/2T28kNzyAOX64ahUz5oyXa?si=rAdNzs5wS_CX5tQtp7AIkQ

deeahgwitch · 28/07/2025 07:37

Thanks for replying.
The BBC Sounds app is still showing a notice, that states when I open it, that it is unavailable to people living outside the UK.

OP posts:
mamagogo1 · 28/07/2025 07:41

I can use it myself but I have a bbc account and pay my licence fee as I live in the uk. I think you need to be logged in now and it’s only available for one month too. Everyone else needs to access them through bbc.com which is a commercial service with ads.

Radioundermypillow · 28/07/2025 07:42

Do you have a uk tv licence?

Dolphinnoises · 28/07/2025 07:44

You can find both those on Apple Podcasts? If you listen to the radio through the app that will be a shame though, especially in the car. I wonder if this is a first step to monetising it abroad? They certainly should consider it…

deeahgwitch · 28/07/2025 07:52

Radioundermypillow · 28/07/2025 07:42

Do you have a uk tv licence?

No
as I pay a licence fee to RTE our national service here in Ireland.
We don’t have access to the BBC player either- as we don’t pay the licence fee - but I did write to the DG of the BBC asking would they open access to it for a paid subscription
I got a reply from the cash strapped BBC saying they had no plans to do so.

OP posts:
Radioundermypillow · 28/07/2025 08:02

deeahgwitch · 28/07/2025 07:52

No
as I pay a licence fee to RTE our national service here in Ireland.
We don’t have access to the BBC player either- as we don’t pay the licence fee - but I did write to the DG of the BBC asking would they open access to it for a paid subscription
I got a reply from the cash strapped BBC saying they had no plans to do so.

Well no as the model is a fee paying one, not a dip in and out sub model.

deeahgwitch · 28/07/2025 08:03

The BBC Sounds App was free til now.

OP posts:
Radioundermypillow · 28/07/2025 08:05

deeahgwitch · 28/07/2025 08:03

The BBC Sounds App was free til now.

Yes, I was replying to your request for a subscription to iplayer.

I expect its something to do with rights reasons.

bloodredfeaturewall · 15/08/2025 15:06

the 'replacement' bbc app is utter shit.
you can't get notification.
and some of my favourite shows are not available apart from listening live.
some shows I could listen to on my phone's podcast app but I liked with sounds that I could listen to a whole series uninterrrupted whilst trying but failing to sleep at night.

Cyclistmumgrandma · 15/08/2025 16:15

The reason that BBC is often not available overseas is that the BBC does not have a licence for that country and is, therefore, not allowed by law to broadcast there.

NoNewsisGood · 15/08/2025 16:20

We are annoyed too!
Cannot understand why they just didn't ask for money. It is a great platform so would have paid! Now moved over to Spotify, but it's not the same, and not everything is on there.

samthebordercollie · 15/08/2025 16:35

I use Nord vpn, it works perfectly for me. Didn’t like the BBC App although I understand from the radio 4 Feedback programme (which has a lot on this subject!) you will be able to listen to programmes on demand soon (Radio 4 and World Service only)

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