British expats in Spain will be cut off from scores of BBC radio stations and podcasts in a shake-up of the public service broadcaster's international output. Starting in a matter of weeks, the BBC will no longer allow access to Sounds – its audio streaming service – from abroad. Instead, international audiences will need to tune into radio and podcasts on a new advertising-funded service on BBC.com or the broadcaster’s app.
Rights restrictions means some programming, including all music radio stations and some podcasts, will be removed completely. Others will only be available through third-party subscription services such as Apple and Spotify.
The BBC said expats will still have access to talk radio stations such as Radio 4 and the World Service, as well as more than 1,000 podcasts, including Global News Podcast, The Global Story and Infinite Monkey Cage.
Nevertheless, the move has fuelled concerns that international audiences will be cut off from large swathes of their favourite programming.
Kirsty Lang, the broadcaster who fronts Radio 4 shows – including Front Row, Last Word and Round Britain Quiz – described the decision as “devastating for all our overseas listeners”.
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I was a great supporter of the BBC for many years, often listening to the World Service from distant outposts or oceans far away. For example John Peel in the jungles of Papua New Guinea . In my early days here I had a short wave radio in the car and listened to the news while going to work. Those days are long gone and so sadly is the BBC I once loved. As well as a vastly increased channel choice through satellites, social media has laid bare the overt left wing bias and wokeness ( horrible word) in the beeb's news organisation . Rigged audiences in Question Time, even rigged questions from employees. Sorry Auntie, as a news provider your day is done . John Reith created an amazing organisation which played a big part in Britains development throughout the 20th century. Now it is time to lay down the baton and slide quietly into the memories of those who once cared.
Between this and the price of eggs I don't know how I'll manage to go on!
I am sure this will be a great loss. 🤤