BBC Archives

Radio 1 Anthems launches on BBC Sounds

15/11/2024

BBC Radio 1 Anthems launches on BBC Sounds with a wide range of music and acts supported by Radio 1 in the 2000s and 2010s, available to stream 24×7. The new stream features a dynamic presenting line-up that combines favourite Radio 1 voices with fresh new talent who have emerged from the Student Radio Association (SRA). Joining Radio 1 Anthems are exciting new hosts Chrissy Cameron, Lauren Redfern and Tyler Selby, all of whom have made their […]

BBC Radio 3 Unwind launches on BBC Sounds

12/11/2024

BBC Radio 3 Unwind launches on BBC Sounds showcasing a broad and eclectic range of calming classical music available to stream 24×7. The channel which launched on Monday 4th November is carefully curated to provide listeners with the best restorative classical music, with selections spanning the centuries from the medieval to the present day. In addition to a diverse range of music, the stream will also include content promoting focus and relaxation, and contributions from […]

BBC Sounds continues to grow in Q3 2024

29/10/2024

BBC Sounds continues to grow in Q3 2024 with 622 million plays of all content across radio, podcasts and music mixes. There were over 622 million plays of all content across radio, podcasts and music mixes in this quarter (July – Sept 2024). This is up 14 million plays on the previous quarter and an increase of more than 3% from the same period last year, as digital listening continues to grow. The busiest week of […]

BBC commissions new shows for BBC Sounds

25/10/2024

BBC commissions new shows for BBC Sounds music streams, Radio 1 Anthems and Radio 3 Unwind. Following highly competitive commissioning rounds, a raft of production teams across the audio sector and different parts of the UK have secured shows on the new music streams for BBC Sounds, launching in early November. Lorna Clarke, Director of Music, BBC says, “Our new music extensions provide invaluable creative opportunities for the audio sector to win more commissions, and […]

BBC Sounds continues to grow in Q2 2024

08/10/2024

BBC Sounds continues to grow in Q2 2024 with 608 million plays of all content across radio, podcasts and music mixes, an increase of almost 5% from the same period last year. Data shows there was a weekly audience average of 4.88 million with a peak of 5 million weekly users. The RAJAR figures for the same period show that podcast listening is at an all-time high with 12.3 million people in the UK (15+) […]

BBC Sounds got over 5 million weekly users in Q1 2024

24/06/2024

BBC Sounds got over 5 million weekly users in Q1 2024 with a weekly audience of 4.97 million users across the app, website and voice activated devices, and for the first time, a peak of 5.1m. The RAJAR figures for the same period highlight how audiences value BBC Radio with 31.3m people tuning in each week for live output across the stations, with a share of 43.4% of all radio listening in the UK. Podcast […]

BBC Sounds streams 617 million plays in Q4 2023

08/02/2024

BBC Sounds streams 617 million plays in Q4 2023 with on-demand plays up 16.8% year on year according to recent figures released by the BBC. On-demand listening of the BBC’s audio content grew between October and December with BBC Sounds achieving a record 231 million plays for on-demand radio programmes, podcasts and music mixes. Christmas music contributed to a record 6.2 million plays for music mixes on BBC Sounds, up 32% from last year. Key […]