BBC pulls its podcasts from Google as part of a change of policy on third-party apps which it outlines in a blog posting. These are no longer available on the Google Podcast app and Google Assistant. Kieran Clifton, Director, BBC Distribution & Business Development explained in the post that since Google launched its own podcast app for Android users it, ‘since begun to direct people who search for a BBC podcast into its own podcast service, rather than BBC Sounds or other third party services, which reduces people’s choice – an approach that the BBC is not comfortable with and has consistently expressed strong concerns about. We asked them to exclude the BBC from this specific feature but they have refused.’
He continued, ‘As a public service, we want our content and services to be available to as many people as possible and we make these available for free on a range of third-party apps. But as the BBC, funded by the licence fee payers in the UK, we have to ensure it is done in a way that is good for all audiences, according to our Distribution Policy – which has been agreed with Ofcom.’
Whilst expressing regret at having to remove the podcasts from Google, Clifton stressed that access to BBC programmes should be available to as many people as possible and that the BBC had asked Google to change their search policy, but they had refused. He goes on to say that BBC podcasts will continue to be available on the BBC Sounds app as well as widely available ‘via RSS feeds – so you can listen on a range of third-party services (including Apple, Stitcher and Acast).’
The blog also contains news about future developments for people with accessibility needs – ‘we have built features into the development of BBC Sounds – including screen reader support for those that are blind or visually impaired.’ For more on accessibility and what screen readers the Sounds app supports visit the BBC Sounds accessibility information page.
