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March 31, 2025 7:18 am  #1


BBC Decides To Geoblock Some Radio & Audio Feeds On The Web

They were one of the few international broadcasters you could listen to for free without a VPN. But now, the BBC has decided to restrict many of its radio and audio broadcasts solely to those in the U.K.

The Beeb suggests it will somehow improve services for those in the country, although I'm still not quite clear from the explanation on why. BBC Sounds was an invaluable resource where you could hear some pretty amazing documentaries and music specials. 

"The BBC has advertising on its website for users outside the UK and the change is intended to generate commercial income by shifting BBC Sounds listeners. It is expected to take place in the spring, although a date has yet to be set...

"Listeners can still use virtual private networks to bypass the geo-blocking."


BBC radio stations and podcasts to go dark for overseas listeners

 

March 31, 2025 8:40 am  #2


Re: BBC Decides To Geoblock Some Radio & Audio Feeds On The Web

Why is once great, english language public media going downhill?
PBS being threttened to close, CBC cairing more about being to far-left and now the great BBC geoblocking content and cutting back BBC world survice.
We nead public media now more than ever.
And, public media neads to be a centrist voice in the media landscape.

 

March 31, 2025 8:43 am  #3


Re: BBC Decides To Geoblock Some Radio & Audio Feeds On The Web

RadioActive wrote:

They were one of the few international broadcasters you could listen to for free without a VPN. But now, the BBC has decided to restrict many of its radio and audio broadcasts solely to those in the U.K.

The Beeb suggests it will somehow improve services for those in the country, although I'm still not quite clear from the explanation on why. BBC Sounds was an invaluable resource where you could hear some pretty amazing documentaries and music specials. 

"The BBC has advertising on its website for users outside the UK and the change is intended to generate commercial income by shifting BBC Sounds listeners. It is expected to take place in the spring, although a date has yet to be set...

"Listeners can still use virtual private networks to bypass the geo-blocking."


BBC radio stations and podcasts to go dark for overseas listeners

Now I have to pay 100s of dollers to get a VPN.
The uk is doing what the states loves to do, geoblock content.

 

March 31, 2025 8:45 am  #4


Re: BBC Decides To Geoblock Some Radio & Audio Feeds On The Web

Scarboroughbluffsradiof99 wrote:

And, public media neads to be a centrist voice in the media landscape.

Pray tell. Where is the centre point between democracy and dictatorship?

 

March 31, 2025 10:46 am  #5


Re: BBC Decides To Geoblock Some Radio & Audio Feeds On The Web

Scarboroughbluffsradiof99 wrote:

Now I have to pay 100s of dollers to get a VPN.

Surfshark C$2.79/month https://surfshark.com/pricing 

 

 

March 31, 2025 11:04 am  #6


Re: BBC Decides To Geoblock Some Radio & Audio Feeds On The Web

NordVPN, which is what I use and is recommended in the article, costs $3.09 a month for the basics. That's about $40 a year, which is really cheap. And it works very well. 

     Thread Starter
 

April 1, 2025 11:14 pm  #7


Re: BBC Decides To Geoblock Some Radio & Audio Feeds On The Web

After reading more about this, I have learned that only BBC Sounds wont be available outside the UK. You will still be able to hear BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4 on the new site at BBC.com later this spring. In addition you will still be able to access BBC World Service on certain NPR stations such as 24 hours a day on WRVO HD3 available as an online stream. Furthermore, BBC World Service will continue to be available on Sirius XM.  And, most importantly, all BBC radio stations will continue to be available on Tune-In and other radio apps.  So, you wont need to pay for a VPN to receive BBC Radio.  I enjoy listening to BBC World Service and also BBC Radio 4 Extra for drama which continues to be produced for radio in the UK.

 

Yesterday 6:40 am  #8


Re: BBC Decides To Geoblock Some Radio & Audio Feeds On The Web

Still, it's a shame because BBC Sounds is where they archive all of their radio and documentary work. If you miss them when they air, it won't be quite as easy to hear them. They did a series on the Beatles which was outstanding and thankfully, I downloaded it a few months ago. 

     Thread Starter