BBC rings geoblocking delayed to listeners outside the United Kingdom

The BBC delayed the blocking of the BBC Sounds application for the public outside the United Kingdom.

This comes after a decision made by the company meant that listeners outside the United Kingdom could not access Radio 4 and the World Service via a new audio section on BBC.com.

In a press release, the BBC said it worked on plans to “continue to put other BBC stations available to listeners outside the United Kingdom” by adding that it “will not close the BBC sounds outside the United Kingdom until we have confirmed these plans”.

Questions had been asked Regarding what it would mean to the listeners of the Republic of Ireland who could not connect to the BBC Radio Ulster or Radio Foyle online.

The BBC added: “BBC Studios recently launched a new audio service outside the United Kingdom on BBC.com and the BBC application … Consequently, the BBC plans to close BBC sounds to the public living outside the United Kingdom later this year.”

But said that “in parallel”, he examines the stations available outside the United Kingdom.

“This includes the BBC music stations. BBC Radio 1, Radio 2 and Radio 3, 6music, 1xtra and the Asian network, as well as the BBC stations of nations and regions, including local radio.”

The BBC has added that “the priority of countries where demand for BBC audio services is the highest”.

In an article on X, former Minister of Irish government Charlie Flanagan said that the delay was “good news”.

“Tens of thousands of people through the island of Ireland enjoy BBC sounds daily,” he said.

“British relations / Ireland would be well served by maintaining the status quo,” he added.

BBC rings is the online house on BBC radio.

People can listen to live radio flows, on -demand programs, podcasts, audio books and mixed musicals.

It is accessible via the Sounds website or its dedicated application. People can also listen to many smart speakers and internet radio devices.

BBC Sounds had to be blocked for the public outside the United Kingdom, affecting international listeners who have already seen a change in their audio offers.

There is a new audio section for them on bbc.com – the international site which advertises – and their BBC application.

They have access to the current and archived Podcast portfolio of the BBC, but only two radio stations, the world service and the radio 4.

A date for the geo-locking blocking The BBC Sounds service had not been confirmed, but the BBC previously declared that it would be in 2025.

The geo-blockering restricted access to services and online content according to the physical location of the user.

The BBC said British users who go on vacation outside the United Kingdom for a short period could still use the BBC Sound application.