The BBC has launched BBC Sounds, a new website and app which combines radio, podcasts and music.
In addition to existing radio stations, programmes and podcasts from the BBC, the new app and website includes twenty new podcasts. Beyond Today is a new daily news podcast hosted by Tina Daheley and Matthew Price, while BBC Radio 2 quiz PopMaster gets its own podcast. New podcasts will be available from Rylan Clark-Neal, Konnie Huq, Colin Murray and the cast of EastEnders.
In total the new app and website contains 80,000 hours of radio and podcasts, available online or on-demand.
The experience of BBC Sounds will be personalised for each user. The BBC says the app and website are designed to learn from listening habits, “providing one-tap access to the latest episodes of favourite BBC podcasts and radio shows”. Radio shows and podcasts will also be introduced to users which they might not have discovered otherwise.
More than 100 hours of classic BBC comedy and drama is newly available, as well as popular podcasts from creators outside the BBC. Forty new music mixes from experts, artists and football stars can also be streamed on BBC Sounds.
BBC Director-General Tony Hall says: “Radio is a unique and precious part of our lives and we’re innovating to secure its future for generations to come. BBC Sounds is a standalone and standout destination, bringing the best of everything we do in audio into one place. It allows us all to experiment – to explore new music, stories and ideas – to play with form and content. And it’s going to support a whole new generation of talent.”
Bob Shennan, Director of Radio and Music, says: “BBC Radio has always been brilliant at reinventing itself and BBC Sounds is the next chapter in that great tradition. We make the best radio, podcasts, and offer the best music curation in the world – and through BBC Sounds we can ensure more people than ever can enjoy that when and how they want.”
BBC Sounds replaces BBC iPlayer Radio which launched in 2012. The new app is available for Android, iOS and Amazon devices, in addition to the website at bbc.co.uk/sounds.
More new podcasts and music mixes are due to be added to BBC Sounds in the coming weeks and months.