Why BBC Podcasts Are Moving to Its Website and App Outside the U.K.

Yahoo

24-02-2025

Listeners and fans of BBC podcasts outside of Britain will soon get to discover and access them via BBC.com and its app, while the BBC Sounds audio service will become exclusive to U.K. audiences. The change is set to take effect in the spring.
'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,' the British broadcaster said in a post Monday.
More from The Hollywood Reporter
Documentary Great Louis Theroux to Be Honored With National Film and Television School Fellowship
'Luther' Creator Neil Cross on Exchanging East London Grime for the Italian Sun in New Thriller Series 'Iris'
The Nazi Clouds Descend on 'Babylon Berlin' Season 5 (Exclusive First Image)
The BBC added, '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, the BBC will also be making BBC Sounds available exclusively to people in the U.K., 'ending access to the service for international users' beginning in spring, the BBC said. 'U.K. users who go on holiday (outside the U.K.) will still be able to use the BBC Sounds app for a limited period.' It highlighted that the changes are part of an evolution of the BBC's services as it looks to 'continue to build a single, one-stop destination for the best of BBC journalism and storytelling.'
Last year, the BBC and Amazon Music struck a deal that made BBC podcasts available on the streaming service outside the U.K. for the first time.
Louise la Grange, senior vp, BBC Audio, Digital News and Streaming at BBC Studios, highlighted that the trust and quality that the BBC brand stands for is one key reason for the appeal of its podcasts and updated strategy.
'As the world's most trusted news organization, listeners come to us for our award-winning journalism and world-class storytelling,' she told THR. 'Whether it's our authoritative take on global news events in the Global News Podcast, gripping investigative series such as World of Secrets or fascinating storytelling in History's Heroes, our content is trusted and loved by audiences around the world.'
Are there any countries that are the biggest markets for BBC podcasts outside the U.K.? 'We are proud to say that our content is listened to in every single country on the planet,' the executive told THR. 'But when you focus on specific markets, outside of the U.K., we have incredibly strong followings and listenership in the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany and Japan.'
The new podcast business strategy is also expected to help continue to grow advertising revenue opportunities outside the U.K., La Grange said, explaining: 'The addition of audio will drive further engagement on our platforms and will open up new advertising monetization opportunities — both in the audio itself but also as part of 360 (degree) campaigns spanning the rest of the BBC's ad real estate.'
Best of The Hollywood Reporter
How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started
Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023
Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire