"Most BBC radio stations to become unavailable for international users"

[Frances_iom]

commercialisation of BBC - sponsored adverts to follow ?

[Roger Webb]

Can you folks on the Septic Isle listen to WDR or France Musique, for example? I know that the various France Musique podcasts are easily accessible from Germany (where I am).

Yes! Just about every radio station in the world is easily (see thread on internet radio) available! The BBC have been busy taking down their streams from those aggregators used by streamers and smart speakers, causing much consternation here. I've bought two streamers specifically to listen to radio (actually I stream Qobuz too) but neither will now stream BBC stations, we have to use BBCs Sounds App. I listen to WDR3, NPO4, RBB3 etc. regularly, and other forum members have said that they listen to other 'foreign' stations, YLE (Finland) is very popular.

With the latest announcement those in the rest of the World will not be able to listen to Radio 3 at all.....although there may be a work-around with a VPN as there is with receiving iPlayer abroad.

[oliver sudden]

Can you folks on the Septic Isle listen to WDR or France Musique, for example? I know that the various France Musique podcasts are easily accessible from Germany (where I am).

[Roger Webb]

... a slightly 'parochial' (if I may) take on what is a catastrophic hit to one of the UK's great unacknowledged 'soft power' elements in the world



.

Vinteuil is right, the BBC is/was (?!) one of the most respected broadcasters in, and by, the world - why would they want to deny such a massive audience the pleasure of listening to its programmes?!

Since BBC started taking down streams from the aggregators it has become apparent that they want to limit listening online to the Sounds App. (it may be possible to fool it with a VPN). But this move is beyond belief.....Nation shall speak to Nation....well they all do....except us!!!

[vinteuil]

Here's hoping this might put a brake on some of the more patronising introductions on e.g. Choral Evensong explaining where major cities in Britain are, presumably there for the benefit of overseas listeners.

... a slightly 'parochial' (if I may) take on what is a catastrophic hit to one of the UK's great unacknowledged 'soft power' elements in the world



.

[oliver sudden]

Here's hoping this might put a brake on some of the more patronising introductions on e.g. Choral Evensong explaining where major cities in Britain are, presumably there for the benefit of overseas listeners.

Well that’s all right then…

[AuntDaisy]

There are probably a few UK listeners who aren't quite sure where all the major cities are.

Esp. me as a non-driver.

[LMcD]

Here's hoping this might put a brake on some of the more patronising introductions on e.g. Choral Evensong explaining where major cities in Britain are, presumably there for the benefit of overseas listeners.

There are probably a few UK listeners who aren't quite sure where all the major cities are.

[mopsus]

Here's hoping this might put a brake on some of the more patronising introductions on e.g. Choral Evensong explaining where major cities in Britain are, presumably there for the benefit of overseas listeners.

[AuntDaisy]

On RadioToday:

Most BBC radio stations to become unavailable for international users
Written by Roy Martin February 25, 2025 - 5:38 pm

A new BBC audio website and app will replace BBC Sounds for users outside the UK later this year.
This means only two radio stations will only be available via BBC.com, the commercial arm of the corporation, along with podcasts.
Only BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4 will be available to users abroad, as revealed by James Cridland earlier this month.
No other national or local radio stations will officially be available due to rights reasons.
The BBC issued a press release on the move today, saying: “Through this new user experience, listeners can explore deeper context and analysis on select topics, gaining a richer understanding of the issues that matter most—all without leaving the platform.
“As part of this launch, the BBC will also be making BBC Sounds available exclusively to UK audiences and ending access to the service for international users beginning Spring 2025. UK users who go on holiday (outside the UK) for a short period of time will still be able to use the BBC Sounds app abroad.”
BBC Studios is responsible for the monetization of digital news and factual products including BBC.com, the BBC app, BBC Select and BBC Podcast Premium, whose profits help continue to fund the BBC’s journalism and reporting.

The BBC Media Centre post has a slighlty different focus for the title...

BBC Studios to make podcasts available to international audiences via BBC.com and the BBC App

Newly launched audio section will make the BBC’s vast portfolio of current and archived podcasts easier to find
Published: 02:00 pm, 24 February 2025

Fans of BBC podcasts outside of the UK now have an all-new listening experience on BBC.com and the BBC app. The newly launched audio section of BBC.com and app is curated with international audiences in mind, making the BBC’s vast portfolio of current and archived podcasts, including hits like Global News Podcast, World of Secrets, and Infinite Monkey Cage, plus BBC Radio 4 and World Service radio stations, easier to find.
For the first time, audiences globally can enjoy a fully integrated experience on BBC.com and the app where the BBC’s award-winning audio content sits alongside our renowned journalism and storytelling. Through this new user experience, listeners can explore deeper context and analysis on select topics, gaining a richer understanding of the issues that matter most—all without leaving the platform.
As part of this launch, the BBC will also be making BBC Sounds available exclusively to UK audiences and ending access to the service for international users beginning Spring 2025. UK users who go on holiday (outside the UK) for a short period of time will still be able to use the BBC Sounds app abroad.
This new audio experience is the latest in a series of enhancements that we have been making to BBC.com and the BBC app. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to build a single, one-stop destination for the best of BBC journalism and storytelling.