BBC launches iPlayer Radio, aims for consistency across devices

BBC iPlayer Radio
There's a new app for iPlayer Radio

The BBC has launched a new site and app for online access to BBC Radio stations and "listen again" on-demand content.

This isn't a ground-breaking development, but at least it will mean more consistency and prominence for the BBC's stations online.

There will be a new worldwide homepage at bbc.co.uk/radio, plus a new app for phones and tablets that enables on-the-move listening and includes an alarm clock so you can wake up to your favourite station.

You can also view videos, check out catch-up content and set programme reminders, too.

The UK-only app will be available on iOS at first, with Android to follow.

There will be new station pages as part of the rollout

There will be new station pages as part of the rollout

The attempt to better represent the BBC's stations online isn't completely unexpected; the corporation has struggled to effectively integrate radio into iPlayer since it launched, with the joint BBC-commercial partnership Radioplayer also confusing matters.

More interactive content

The app will also mean there will be more on-demand content, clips, videos and downloads available.The BBC says it will also develop the station homepages over time to include more content including videos, downloads, social media feeds as well as more access to content direct from DJs and presenters.

"BBC iPlayer Radio is the platform on which we will develop radio stations as fully multimedia brands so that as well as listen, audiences will be able to watch, share and engage with BBC radio," says Mark Friend, controller of multiplatform and interactive at BBC Audio & Music.

"Our next steps will be to make live radio more interactive, make it easier for people to enjoy the BBC's vast audio archive and strengthen radio's position as the number one place for discovering music in the UK."

Station dial

You can dial through the stations - useful for avoiding Nick Grimshaw

BBC radio listening across mobile and tablet devices has risen significantly over the past 12 months, reflecting growing audience demand for access to content anywhere.

Year-on-year, monthly iPlayer requests for radio have increased 56% to 2.8m on mobile, and 300% to 1.2 million on tablet.

Contributor

Dan (Twitter, Google+) is TechRadar's Former Deputy Editor and is now in charge at our sister site T3.com. Covering all things computing, internet and mobile he's a seasoned regular at major tech shows such as CES, IFA and Mobile World Congress. Dan has also been a tech expert for many outlets including BBC Radio 4, 5Live and the World Service, The Sun and ITV News.

Latest in Websites & Apps
A mobile phone showing the Signal logo in front of a screen showing the app
Signalgate explained: what is Signal, and how secure is the messaging app?
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Friday, March 28 (game #1159)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, March 28 (game #390)
Google Maps on a phone being held in someone's hand
Google Maps is getting two key upgrades, for easier route planning and quicker access to Gemini AI
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Thursday, March 27 (game #1158)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, March 27 (game #389)
Latest in News
Google Pixel Watch 3 side dial and button
Google Gemini reportedly spotted on Wear OS – could a rollout be close at hand?
Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con up-close from app store
Nintendo's new app gave us another look at the Switch 2, and there's something different with the Joy-Con
cheap Nintendo Switch game deals sales
Nintendo didn't anticipate that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was 'going to be the juggernaut' for the Nintendo Switch when it was ported to the console, according to former employees
Toni Collette in Hereditary
Everything leaving Netflix in April 2025 – from the scariest movie ever made to a beloved DreamWorks animation with 99% on Rotten Tomatoes
Three angles of the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M4 laptop above a desk
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) review roundup – should you buy Apple's new lightweight laptop?
Witchbrook
Witchbrook, the life-sim I've been waiting years for, finally has a release window and it's sooner than you think