Letters: BBC downsizing will hurt listeners in France
Reader says little information is available about the broadcaster's plans to shut down its Sounds app and website in Spring
From spring 2025, only BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4 will be accessible outside the UK due to a new international audio rights deal
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To the Editor,
I'm hoping you are aware that sometime in early spring, the BBC will be shutting down its Sounds app and website and replacing it with BBC Audio.
For international listeners, the effects of this will be a shock - in future only World Service, Radio 4 and some (perhaps many) Podcasts will continue to be available outside the geographical UK (and all of these may contain advertising breaks).
Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4Extra, Radio 6 and all local BBC radio will in future be geo-restricted to devices physically in the UK. No more listening to the Proms in France!
This is a massive change of availability, being implemented with no consultation and very little clear information about the whats, wheres and whens.
The Beeb have hinted that UK listeners who are "temporarily" abroad may have full program availability, but for short trips only. No further details.
The new BBC Audio app has been rolled out but it's a bit of a work-in-progress, changing in scope every day.
The recent (and vague....) BBC Press Release is here - and the Feedback program recently had an episode covering more detail, although they were unable to get any comment from the BBC itself - (the segment begins at 17.45 minutes in).
I'm hoping that Connexion readers will be as upset at this shrinking of the BBC as I am - the whole nation seems to get smaller every day!
G.B, by email
Do you listen to BBC radio in France? How will you adapt after the withdrawal of many radio stations in spring 2025? Let us know at letters@connexionfrance.com
