From late January 2023, the way you listen to live BBC Radio programmes will change.
On the Radioplayer mobile app, when you click to play a programme, you will be taken to the BBC Sounds app or website to listen to it.
We’re making this change because we want listeners to have the best experience listening to our radio, and to get the best value from the licence fee. By using BBC Sounds, you will get even more relevant BBC programmes recommended to you, based on your tastes and preferences as well as personalised features, such as the ability to pause and pick up from where you left off on multiple devices, as well as being able to pause and rewind live radio.
Does this affect me if I listen on another third party service?
Yes. In addition to Radioplayer, we are working with other third parties to make the necessary changes, where possible, to link to BBC Sounds for playback of BBC radio stations. The following points provide more guidance to listeners using other third party services to listen to BBC Radio.
What if I’m using a mobile to listen to BBC radio on a third-party service and I don’t have the Sounds app installed?
The link from the third-party service will open the mobile web version of BBC Sounds. You will be able to navigate through content, but will need to be signed in to your BBC account before you can play any programmes or live streams.
What if I’m using a computer?
The link from the third-party service will open the web version of BBC Sounds. You will be able to navigate through content, but will need to be signed in to your BBC account before you can play any programmes or live streams.
What if I’m listening on a device that doesn’t support Sounds?
We are working with third-parties to try and ensure you can continue to listen to your chosen piece of BBC content in their service.
BBC Sounds is available on my device, but I’m not being linked from a third-party service for playback of BBC content.
Where possible, we are working with third-parties to implement a solution and expect changes to happen during 2023. There will be some examples of where a solution with a third-party is not reached. As an alternative you will be able to sign in to BBC Sounds on your device to access to all BBC audio content.
What about BBC podcasts?
BBC podcasts will continue to be made available from within our partner services.