It was previously announced that the BBC had plans to shut down its BBC Sounds app for those outside of the UK.
The reason for why this app has gone offline and that the changes with the BBC Radio stations has been made is due to, “Both services are restricted to a UK domestic audience, reflecting rights and associated considerations.”
As it stands now, BBC Radio can still technically be accessed through the official BBC app, but that will only include BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service.
Additionally, BBC Sounds is to be treated the same way that its iPlayer is treated which is exclusive to the UK only. The closest Americans can get to having something similar to iPlayer would be through streaming services such as BritBox (owned by the BBC), Acorn TV, and/or a subscription to PBS via PBS Passport on the PBS website or through PBS Masterpiece on Amazon Channels.
This is the image American BBC Sounds app users will get now when they open that app if it is still on their iPhone.
With that said, there are still ways to stream the BBC Radio stations such as BBC Radio 1, Radio Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3, and others which is through the BBC website.
On top of that, there are still ways to access those stations via TuneIn radio station integration in Apple’s default Music app. Please note that accessing those stations via said Music app does not require a subscription to Apple Music.
What are your thoughts on this change with the BBC Sounds app here in America? Comment below or let us know on X at @appleosophy.
