if you live outside of U.K. there is a big radio listening shock coming.

I have just this lunchtime found and started watching Life on Mars.

I cannot believe I missed this first time around. It's absolutely exceptional and exactly the kind of programme that makes me realise how lucky we are to have the BBC. If you haven't seen it I would really recommend it.

Nandalot

I don’t understand the problem. it appears Radio4 and the World Service will still be available free of charge. And some podcasts. The World Service is a really important vehicle and as a previous poster mentioned, an important soft power. Other programmes will possibly available by paid for apps. Seems fair to me. I have never understood why there is so much criticism of the BBC. On a limited budget it produces excellent programmes, often, true to its remit, excellent educational ones.

👏👏

It was whenIwasyourage who is listening to programmes from all over the world from the UK.
I only currently listen to French radio and Radio 3 via BBC Sounds.

Mamie, interesting re the other countries’ programmes you can still listen to. May I ask are they state funded or funded by advertising?

I don’t understand the problem. it appears Radio4 and the World Service will still be available free of charge. And some podcasts. The World Service is a really important vehicle and as a previous poster mentioned, an important soft power. Other programmes will possibly available by paid for apps. Seems fair to me. I have never understood why there is so much criticism of the BBC. On a limited budget it produces excellent programmes, often, true to its remit, excellent educational ones.

Wheniwasyourage

We have an internet radio which can receive programmes from all over the world, Mamie.

Ah that's interesting. So when we get cut off from the BBC stations, that will be something that other countries do not do choose to do to overseas listeners. I am not sure the licence fee argument makes sense in that context. (Not that we have one in France anymore).

We have an internet radio which can receive programmes from all over the world, Mamie.

Churchview

I've really tried to understand your post Infoman but can't make head nor tail of it.

What do you mean tax? There's a licence fee, but we can choose to buy it or not.

To my mind the BBC is like the NHS. Everyone uses it, people like to criticise it and those with a political bent use that criticism for their own ends. Nobody wants to pay for it and only when it's gone will be realise how brilliant it was and how limited the alternatives are.

As I've said, you have to look at some of the mindless rubbish ITV churns out to realise the BBC needs to stay. My view is the BBC would do better if it was smaller and could concentrate its energies on its two main television channels. Also sponsorship for events like Wimbledon would reduce the cost of covering these.

I've really tried to understand your post Infoman but can't make head nor tail of it.

What do you mean tax? There's a licence fee, but we can choose to buy it or not.

To my mind the BBC is like the NHS. Everyone uses it, people like to criticise it and those with a political bent use that criticism for their own ends. Nobody wants to pay for it and only when it's gone will be realise how brilliant it was and how limited the alternatives are.

Just out of interest are radio stations from other European countries freely available in the UK or do you have to pay?
As others have said, this is not just about UK migrants abroad, it is about people wanting to access English language stations.

The BBC has a lot of faults and isn't as good as it used to be, but at least they don't show some of the mindless garbage like Celebrity Big Brother and Love Island that ITV class as entertainment. I like the BBC for its coverage of major events, some of its drama, events like The Proms and their antique programmes. Also like The Repair Shop and House Of Games.

RosieandherMaw

Ah but never let the facts get in the way of a good infopanic

Nice one Rosie 🤣

At the risk of repeating myself, this was the statement from the BBC.
I don’t know where local radio would be accessible , which is presumably what you are talking about by “news from your hometown/local area” I don’t even know if you can easily access it elsewhere in the UK.
international audiences will need to tune in to radio and podcasts on a new advertising-funded service on BBC.com or a separate app. Restrictions on broadcasting rights mean some programming, including all music radio stations and some podcasts, will be removed completely. Others will only be available through third-party subscription services such as Apple and Spotify.
The BBC said expats would still have access to talk radio stations such as Radio 4 and the World Service, as well as more than 1,000 podcasts, including Global News Podcast, The Global Story and Infinite Monkey Cage
Given that radio is funded by the licence money and I assume you don’t have to pay that outside the UK, it’s perhaps a necessary cost cutting move.

We are all different,but when I am outside of the U.K. its is/was nice to hear the local news from your home town/area.

Jaxjacky

Mamie BBC sounds is funded by those who pay their TV licence which those abroad dont.

A paid for app would make sense.

Never listen, wouldn’t bother me. Just more mean spiritedness on their behalf. I really don’t get why they charge for a licence anyway - in the dark ages.

Mamie BBC sounds is funded by those who pay their TV licence which those abroad dont.

At the moment we can use the BBC Sounds app for all BBC stations. It is said (though by no means clear), that at some point in the spring we will lose all stations except Radio 4 and World Service.
It is also said by some sources that it is to do with performance rights.

yggdrasil

The most important part of the BBC is World Service. I listen to it a lot, and learn a lot (verified) of what goes on outside the small boundaries of this country.
And last night, they announced they were shedding Hardtalk.:-(

I love the World Service - it was a lifeline when we were living overseas for so many years - long before the internet was available.
Its signature ‘Lilibolero’ tune is still associated in my head with 7 am, and the start of the news, when dds would be heading off for the school bus!

The most important part of the BBC is World Service. I listen to it a lot, and learn a lot (verified) of what goes on outside the small boundaries of this country.
And last night, they announced they were shedding Hardtalk.:-(

Can someone explain to me.

I thought it was overseas that wouldn’t receive any more.

Infoman says it’s all BBC radio. Now I’m confused.

Ah but never let the facts get in the way of a good infopanic

www.gransnet.com/forums/tv_radio_film_arts/1346577-Expats-to-be-cut-off-from-BBC-radio-and-podcasts-within-weeks

Well not that much of a shock given how much coverage there has been, including a thread on here.
It would be helpful if there was some information about the actual date when we will lose Radio 3 (not bothered about anything else). It is also unclear whether Tunein will still be available, if / when BBC Sounds goes.