BBC Sounds Shuts Down for International Listeners
As of 21 July 2025, BBC Sounds will no longer be available outside the UK. This significant change means international listeners can no longer use the BBC Sounds app or website to access live radio, on-demand shows, or music mixes. Instead, the BBC is directing overseas audiences to a new international audio section on BBC.com and the BBC app.
While this move may streamline services for the BBC, it’s a blow to listeners around the world who’ve relied on Sounds to stay connected with British news, culture, and music.
What’s Still Available Internationally?
From now on, international users can access:
Live streams of BBC Radio 4 and the World Service (English only)
Thousands of BBC podcasts, including those in English, Welsh, and Gaelic
A directory on BBC.com linking to live-only versions of other stations such as Radio 1, Radio 2, 6 Music, and BBC local stations
However, the “listen again” and on-demand features—a major draw of BBC Sounds—are gone for overseas listeners. Popular music stations like Radio 1, 2, 3, 6 Music, 1Xtra, and Asian Network are no longer available outside the UK through official BBC platforms.
Why the Change?
The BBC states that BBC Sounds is funded by the UK licence fee and is intended for UK residents. To provide better value to UK fee-payers, access outside the UK is being withdrawn. International audiences will now be served through BBC Studios’ commercial platforms, supported by advertising.
This is because much of the BBC content is provided by third party production companies, and the BBC may not own the international broadcast rights for that content.
Can You Still Listen with a VPN?
Technically, yes. Many international users have turned to VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), which allow them to appear as if they are browsing from within the UK. A VPN can let you access the BBC Sounds website and app as usual—though it’s worth noting:
This may violate BBC’s terms of use
Performance can vary depending on the VPN’s reliability
It’s not a guaranteed long-term solution
While VPNs provide a workaround, they aren’t officially endorsed by the BBC.
It is simple.
Download the VPN app onto your device, set to the UK, and log back into BBC Sounds.
Another app?
It may still be possible to listen to your BBC Radio stations live via different “unofficial” apps, such as TuneIn.
BBC Statement
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 closed for listeners based outside the UK.
Our radio stations continue to be available for people outside the UK to listen to live. If you live overseas, how you access live radio stations may change.
Please refer to the station directory on BBC.com where you can find links to listen to BBC radio stations from across the UK. This includes the BBC’s music stations – BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, and Radio 3, 6 Music, 1Xtra and Asian Network, Radio 4 Extra and 5 Live, 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.
Listener Reaction
Reaction from overseas fans has been overwhelmingly negative. Expats and international fans of Radio 3 and 6 Music, in particular, have voiced frustration and sadness. Many have called for a paid international subscription option—but so far, no such model exists. And when the BBC tried a “paid” iPlayer service after expat outcry, very low subscriber numbers meant it was not financially viable to continue.
If you’re abroad and hoping to keep BBC Sounds going, your best bet may be a VPN—at least for now.
How dreadful!!!!
You have divorced us from the greatest listening pleasure we had for years from the best staion in the world, RADIO 4.
Especially “listening back” function we cannot live without. What a great shame!
Do you realise that the time differences in the world make listening to Radio 4 almost impossible!!!!
People do not listen to radio in the middle of the night!!!!
Please re-consider outside UK subscription……and make that abundantly CLEAR to outside UK listerners.
And further more, BH was closed down today but Desert Island Discs was avialable! Why was this ????
A reaction would be appreciated.
British e-pat living in Italy.
Very sad loss to see bbc sounds is no longer available.
It’s all unfortunately due to money.
But the BBC have considered people living abroad.
Not very happy this morning
We would be happy to pay BBC a fee. If they need money such as we is a source. The BS about them trying charging and not enough people signing up happened some time ago. Since then Sounds with its on-demand feature has drawn many more listeners. The managers up in the BBC offices are often short sighted and this is another example. Hopefully they will come to their senses
Where is Radio 3?? Where is Radio 4 Extra??!! Where is Radio 2???
BBC listening wasn’t just for ex-pats, and you’re lying to yourselves if you think no one would pay for access through the an app like BBC Sounds. And I’m done with everything being a podcast. The immediacy and shared experience was great to have all in one place. So which is it, BBC? You can’t sell licenses in BBC’s own country so you’re best idea is to cut off listeners who love the service just the way it is?
“Where is Radio 3?? Where is Radio 4 Extra??!! Where is Radio 2???”
They are on sounds for UK listeners.
They are not available on Sounds for international listeners.
If you want the full range of services on Sounds, then use a VPN and “locate” yourself in the UK.
“and you’re lying to yourselves if you think no one would pay for access through the an app like BBC Sounds.”
BBC Prime, a service for expats…closed due to lack opf subscribers
An international version of iplayter, closed due to lack of subscribers.
So from those alone, proves that although people may say they are willing to pay, and some may, the numbers do not justify doing it.