BBC Sounds to switch off abroad – but not for British holidaymakers

Brits holidaying abroad will still be able to listen to BBC radio but expats will be cut off from most stations, the BBC said, as the corporation faces a backlash over a shake-up of its output.

Within weeks, the BBC will no longer allow access to its Sounds audio streaming service from abroad.

The change means international audiences, including Britons working abroad who say they rely on the BBC’s radio stations, will no longer be able to tune in to many live broadcasts.

Instead, international audiences will need to find radio and podcasts on a new advertising-funded service on BBC.com or a separate app.

Overseas access to music stations including Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3 and 6 Music will be removed, with the changes set to be introduced from May.

The BBC has agreed not to “switch off” access to speech stations Radio 4 and the taxpayer-funded World Service, which will remain available as a live stream.

Other BBC audio programmes will only be available through third-party subscription services such as Apple and Spotify.

Holidaymakers will still be able to listen on the beach. UK residents who go on holiday outside the UK for a “short period” of time will still be able to use the BBC Sounds app. The grace period is expected to be weeks rather than months.

The move is designed to help the BBC boost its commercial income as it seeks to plug a £500m hole in its finances.

The corporation does not believe global audiences should have free access to content funded exclusively by UK licence-fee payers.

But overseas listeners urged the BBC to rethink its plans, with many saying they would be happy to pay a monthly fee to retain full access to the Sounds app.

Matthew Rose, who launched a Change petition against the move, said he spends more than eight months a year working overseas.

“I listen to these stations on average five hours each day, making them an essential part of my life,” he argued.

“They are more than just a source of news. They form a bridge, a link, to the life I’m unable to experience back home due to the demands of my work.” Mr Rose said he had paid for the services with his licence fee too.

Classical music fans said the loss of Radio 3, with its live broadcasts from the Proms, was a serious blow.

Stephen Maddock, Principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, wrote on X: “They should make BBC Sounds available for a monthly fee. Really not hard to do these days.

“Could raise plenty of ££ to invest in BBC programming of every kind including R3, orchestras & Proms. Millions of others outside UK would pay for the great content.”

Mr Maddock added that overseas listeners would be tempted to work round the disconnections by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Kirsty Lang, presenter of Radio 4 shows including Front Row and Last Word, said the plans would be “devastating for all our overseas listeners.”

She added: “BBC Radio is a vital lifeline to so many overseas listeners. I have no idea why they’re cutting it or why they can’t introduce a subscription for people living outside the UK.”

David Elstein, the TV executive who launched Channel 5 and advised the last Tory government on changes to the licence fee, told The i Paper: “I have long urged the BBC to offer TV season tickets for the Proms, for both domestic and overseas viewers.”

“They hold the necessary rights for nearly all concerts. It would be both a money spinner and a service to music lovers – currently, BBC TV shows almost no Proms live, and less than a third at all.”

The BBC said the changes would allow BBC Studios, “which distributes BBC content to audiences outside the UK and operates our international platforms, to generate commercial revenue that goes back to the BBC, delivering better value for the licence fee payer.”

There are rights issues restricting international broadcasts of music and live events which include advertising, The i Paper understands.

The task of filling the BBC’s “black hole” has been made harder after the broadcaster last week scrapped plans to place adverts on its podcasts for UK audiences listening on commercial platforms like Spotify.

Gary Lineker’s Goalhanger podcast business and other commercial providers objected, saying it would give the ad-free Sounds an unfair competitive advantage.

A BBC Spokesperson: “BBC Studios recently launched a new listening experience outside the UK on BBC.com and the BBC app – which includes thousands of hours of podcasts, BBC Radio 4, and BBC World Service alongside the BBC’s journalism and storytelling.

“As part of this launch, later this year, the BBC will be making BBC Sounds available exclusively to UK audiences which will offer better value for UK listeners. These changes only impact BBC platforms, as BBC content will remain available on third-party platforms outside the UK.”

The BBC did not rule out charging listeners to use Sounds. A BBC Studios spokesperson said: “We hear the audience feedback, and while we routinely consider future opportunities across our business, there are no further plans to announce at this time.”

Mr Elstein said the BBC had previously refused to consider experimenting with “top-up” subscriptions for music and entertainment content, “no doubt to avoid setting a precedent which would encourage ministers to explore replacing the licence fee with subscription more widely”.

BBC Sounds switch-off 

What’s changing? 

Starting from spring 2025, BBC Sounds will be restricted to UK listeners. International users will need to access BBC audio content through a new service at BBC.com and the BBC app, including podcasts, BBC World Service, and BBC Radio 4.   

What will go? 

All other BBC radio stations, bar Radio 4 and the World Service, will no longer be available internationally due to licensing and rights restrictions. 

What programmes can expats still hear? 

Thousands 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. Access will remain free but listeners are likely to hear some advertising around the podcasts.  

Can I still use Sounds on holiday? 

Listeners who reside in the UK will still be able to use the BBC Sounds mobile app when they are abroad for a “short period”. 

Why is the BBC making these changes? 

The BBC says: “BBC Sounds is a UK licence fee-funded service. To offer better value for our UK listeners, BBC Sounds will be repositioned and made available exclusively to UK audiences.”