Earlier this year, BBC Studios launched a new audio service outside the UK on BBC.com and the BBC app. This includes BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service English and access to thousands of hours of podcasts.
As part of the announcement, we said we planned to close BBC Sounds to audiences living outside the UK. We can now confirm that BBC Sounds has now closed for listeners based outside the UK.
Can I still listen to live BBC radio if I’m based outside the UK?
Yes. Our radio stations will continue to be available for people outside the UK to listen to live after the closure of BBC Sound outside the UK. If you live overseas, how you access live radio station may change.
Please refer to the station directory on BBC.com where you can find links to listen to BBC’s radio stations from across the UK. This includes the BBC’s music stations - BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, and Radio 3, 6Music, 1Xtra and Asian Network, Radio 4Xtra and 5Live, all the BBC’s stations from the UK nations and every local radio station in England. BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service English is available on BBC.com already and will continue to be.
Note: If you have difficulty playing these stations because the link opens the BBC Sounds App, please delete the BBC 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 BBC audio programming on non-BBC platforms will not be affected by this change.
Can I still listen to BBC Podcasts?
Yes. A range English, Welsh and Gaelic language podcasts are available on BBC.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 will still be able to use the BBC Sounds app when they go on holiday abroad for around a month. Visit our FAQ : Can I use BBC Sounds when I travel outside the UK?
Why did the BBC make this change?
BBC Studios is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC and is focused on bringing our trusted, world class journalism and storytelling to international audiences. Earlier this year, BBC Studios launched a new audio section on bbc.com and the BBC app (a commercial service) outside the UK.
Revenue generated by these services is returned to the BBC to support its public purpose in the UK.
As part of this announcement, we said we would close BBC Sounds outside the UK – and make it exclusively available to listeners in the UK.
Can I still listen to BBC Proms outside the UK?
Yes. People living in the UK can still listen to the Proms while on holiday abroad on the BBC Sounds app.
And listeners outside the UK can listen to the Proms live anywhere in the world using the link to BBC Radio 3 in the directory on BBC.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 BBC radio and podcasts outside the UK or if you are seeking support, visit the BBC.com Audio FAQ.