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

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  • AuntDaisy
    Host
    • Jun 2018
    • 1924

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

    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.
  • mopsus
    Full Member
    • Nov 2010
    • 865

    #2
    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.

    Comment

    • LMcD
      Full Member
      • Sep 2017
      • 8934

      #3
      Originally posted by mopsus View Post
      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.

      Comment

      • AuntDaisy
        Host
        • Jun 2018
        • 1924

        #4
        Originally posted by LMcD View Post
        There are probably a few UK listeners who aren't quite sure where all the major cities are.

        Esp. me as a non-driver.

        Comment

        • oliver sudden
          Full Member
          • Feb 2024
          • 736

          #5
          Originally posted by mopsus View Post
          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…

          Comment

          • vinteuil
            Full Member
            • Nov 2010
            • 13211

            #6
            Originally posted by mopsus View Post
            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



            .

            Comment

            • Roger Webb
              Full Member
              • Feb 2024
              • 1096

              #7
              Originally posted by vinteuil View Post

              ... 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!!!

              Comment

              • oliver sudden
                Full Member
                • Feb 2024
                • 736

                #8
                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).

                Comment

                • Roger Webb
                  Full Member
                  • Feb 2024
                  • 1096

                  #9
                  Originally posted by oliver sudden View Post
                  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.

                  Comment

                  • Frances_iom
                    Full Member
                    • Mar 2007
                    • 2434

                    #10
                    commercialisation of BBC - sponsored adverts to follow ?

                    Comment

                    • teamsaint
                      Full Member
                      • Nov 2010
                      • 25304

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Frances_iom View Post
                      commercialisation of BBC - sponsored adverts to follow ?
                      Well if the push to replace the licence fee is successful , something will have to replace it.
                      A subscription model seems to me to be the obvious and least unfair solution, but adverts might be part of a mix I guess.
                      I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own.

                      I am not a number, I am a free man.

                      Comment

                      • LMcD
                        Full Member
                        • Sep 2017
                        • 8934

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Frances_iom View Post
                        commercialisation of BBC - sponsored adverts to follow ?
                        As long as they contain 'live' music.

                        Comment

                        • LMcD
                          Full Member
                          • Sep 2017
                          • 8934

                          #13
                          Originally posted by oliver sudden View Post
                          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).
                          My late father-in-law (who was South African) used to refer to us as the Benighted Kingdom, which I found a tad patronising. Were he still alive, I hope | would be gracious enough to tell him he was right. A further round of cuts to the World Service has recently been announced, Ironically, the weekly listeners' feedback programme is to become monthly.

                          Comment

                          • vinteuil
                            Full Member
                            • Nov 2010
                            • 13211

                            #14
                            In 1934 the motto of the BBC was "Quaecumque", meaning "Whatsoever" - inspired by St Paul's Epistle to the Philippians 4:8 -

                            de cetero fratres quaecumque sunt vera quaecumque pudica quaecumque iusta quaecumque sancta quaecumque amabilia quaecumque bonae famae si qua virtus si qua laus haec cogitate

                            (Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things)

                            In 1948 it reverted to "Nation shall speak peace unto Nation"

                            Nowadays the motto is "Whatever".

                            Actually, "Whatevs..." - (in da yoof speak)




                            .

                            ​​
                            Last edited by vinteuil; 27-02-25, 17:54.

                            Comment

                            • Serial_Apologist
                              Full Member
                              • Dec 2010
                              • 38219

                              #15
                              Originally posted by teamsaint View Post

                              Well if the push to replace the licence fee is successful , something will have to replace it.
                              A subscription model seems to me to be the obvious and least unfair solution, but adverts might be part of a mix I guess.
                              Does this represent how discredited the BBC has become for some of us?



                              How much do people think the BBC will actually SAVE?

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