BBC Podcasts Premium provides early access and ad-free listening to a variety of the BBC’s most popular titles for Apple Podcasts listeners.
BBC Studios, renowned for creating, producing, and distributing distinctive British content worldwide, has unveiled BBC Podcasts Premium, an exclusive Apple subscription podcast service now available to listeners in 166 additional countries. This expansion covers regions in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean, offering early access and ad-free listening to a selection of the BBC’s most popular titles on Apple Podcasts.
The international launch of BBC Podcasts Premium coincides with the introduction of The Global Story, a fresh daily news podcast jointly produced by BBC Studios and BBC World Service. Hosted by Katya Adler, The Global Story delves deep into a single story each day, providing context and deeper insights through the expertise of the BBC’s top global journalists.
Speaking about the launch, Louise la Grange, SVP of Audio Distribution at BBC Studios, said: “Audio is core to the BBC’s heritage. We’ve been doing it for over a century and it forms part of our fabric as a global newscaster and storyteller. With a wide, inventive slate of audio content that includes everything from daily news to sports analysis to pop culture to fiction and more, we’re incredibly excited to continue to expand our relationship with Apple to reach more listeners globally. Through BBC Podcasts Premium, we’re inviting new audiences around the world into this seamless, premium listening experience to hear the very best of our audio journalism and storytelling.”
BBC Podcasts Premium, initially launched in the US and Canada in 2021 and subsequently in Australia and New Zealand in 2022, has consistently ranked in Apple’s Top 10 subscriber channels. The international rollout marks another milestone for BBC Studios’ expanding audio unit. This year, the BBC announced the transition of audio production in selected genres to BBC Studios, with Richard Knight leading the new audio production unit and Louise la Grange overseeing international audio distribution and monetisation.
Subscribers to BBC Podcasts Premium gain access to ad-free, early releases of top BBC shows such as Good Bad Billionaire, Infinite Monkey Cage, and Intrigue. The service also offers ad-free versions of popular shows spanning news, true crime, pop culture, history, science, and fiction, including BBC Global News Podcast, The Global Story, World Business Report, and Dua Lipa: At Your Service.
BBC Podcasts Premium is now accessible from the BBC Podcasts channel on Apple Podcasts, and a seven-day free trial is available. Subscription prices per month vary by region, with examples including Bahrain $2.99, Oman $2.99, Qatar (QAR) 10.99, Saudi Arabia (SAR) 12.99, and the United Arab Emirates (AED) 11.99.
