BBC Launches 'iPlayer Radio' App in the U.S. App Store - MacRumors
Skip to Content

BBC Launches 'iPlayer Radio' App in the U.S. App Store

by

BBC today released its iPlayer Radio app stateside, so American users on both iOS and Android can now tune in to BBC radio stations airing content from the United Kingdom (via TechCrunch). The iOS app launched in its native territory in 2012, with today marking the first time the company has expanded its app-based radio content to users outside of the U.K.

BBC iPlayer Radio app
The iPlayer Radio app supports offline listening for BBC podcasts, curated selections of radio highlights for each user, and a daily schedule that makes sifting through the service's content quick and easy. The app can even serve as an alarm clock to wake users up to a specific radio show, and conversely allow them to fall asleep without the worry of the app playing all night with "night mode."

- Listen live to BBC Radio stations from the World Service and across the UK
- Catch up or listen again to your favourite BBC Radio programmes
- Download podcasts to enjoy anywhere, even when offline
- Browse and listen to carefully curated BBC Radio highlights and collections
- View daily schedules and categories quickly and easily
- Discover audio and video clips, including many live performances
- See what tracks are playing on air as well as track lists for on demand programmes
- Wake up to and doze off to BBC Radio with a built-in alarm clock and night mode

Those interested can download the BBC iPlayer Radio app for free from the iOS App Store today. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

127 months ago
Great. So I'm paying £145.50 for my TV license so people in other countries can enjoy BBC content for free. How is that fair?
The clue is in the name - you are paying for the TV license. This is radio only. You don't pay a license for radio.

Anyway, its a great app - I have been using the website for years to listen to my favorite shows but it doesn't work properly with lock screen controls.

Hopefully they will add the iPlayer TV app and charge us ex-pats a subscription - they are leaving money on the table by not doing so. I don't think it would breach the terms of their public charter.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
deany Avatar
127 months ago
American friends.....'Radio 6' is well worth your time.
cheers
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ipedro Avatar
127 months ago
Strange, not sure how they will justify giving their content away free when it is paid for through the British television licence fee.
Exporting British culture to the world can be argued as a good investment. So long as taxpayers paying into the service still get the same access that they've always had, there's no harm in giving it away to international audiences that couldn't be taxed anyway and whereas charging for it would not bring in enough revenue to justify the effort.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
127 months ago
Strange, not sure how they will justify giving their content away free when it is paid for through the British television licence fee.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mw360 Avatar
127 months ago
Cue the "not seeing it yet"s.
I'm not seeing them yet
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zedcars Avatar
127 months ago
Great. So I'm paying £145.50 for my TV license so people in other countries can enjoy BBC content for free. How is that fair?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple TV Thumb 3

Here's What's Coming in the 2026 Apple TV

Thursday April 23, 2026 12:08 pm PDT by
There are a lot of folks waiting for a new version of the Apple TV because the set-top box hasn't been updated since 2022. There is an update coming this year, but people will need to wait a bit longer because Apple is holding the next Apple TV until the new version of Siri comes out this fall. Design Apple TV design updates don't happen often, and that's not changing in 2026. The next...
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in September With These 10 New Features

Monday April 20, 2026 7:13 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...
Sad iPhone 18 Feature

Leaker: Apple to Downgrade iPhone 18 in Two Ways

Wednesday April 22, 2026 8:02 am PDT by
Following the emergence of a rumor that Apple is planning to downgrade the iPhone 18 to cut costs, further detail has emerged suggesting that display and chip specifications will see downgrades. Earlier this week, the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital" said that the iPhone 18 features "certain manufacturing downgrades" that bring it more into line with the low-cost iPhone 18e model. The...