We hope that the app will be a destination on mobile homescreens for audiences around the world who want to explore the breadth of BBC radio

Available in the UK since 2012, the free BBC iPlayer Radio app will transform access to BBC Radio programmes internationally, making it easier for audiences around the world to listen to a variety of BBC radio stations, including BBC World Service English, on their devices wherever they are.

BBC World Service in English, which has a global audience of 66m, will automatically display on a touchscreen dial when users outside the UK open the app for the first time. Users can simply spin the dial to access more BBC Radio stations and discover more world-class content which includes news, music, drama, comedy.

As well as access to live radio programmes from the World Service and radio stations across the UK, users around the world with the app can:

Catch up or listen again to their favourite BBC Radio programmes

Download podcasts to enjoy anywhere, even when offline

Browse and listen to carefully curated BBC Radio highlights and collections

View daily schedules and categories quickly and easily

Discover audio and video clips, including many live performances

See what tracks are playing on air as well as track lists for on-demand programmes

Wake up to and doze off to BBC Radio with a built-in alarm clock and night mode

James Montgomery, Digital Development Director, BBC News and Current Affairs, says: “The new international BBC iPlayer Radio app makes it easier for audiences around the world to discover and enjoy the richness of our output - both live radio and to downloaded content.

“We hope that the app will be a destination on mobile homescreens for audiences around the world who want to explore the breadth of BBC radio, from news and current affairs to drama, comedy and music. This launch also comes at a time when the UK is at the centre of a huge news story which the BBC is helping to explain to audiences worldwide.”

Mary Hockaday, Controller BBC World Service English, says: “We have a valued audience of 66 million globally for the English BBC World Service. I’m thrilled the new BBC iPlayer Radio app offers another way for listeners around the world to find and enjoy our programmes, and take them with them wherever they go. With this app, we hope to give new audiences the chance to unlock a wealth of World Service content, as they explore what the BBC iPlayer Radio has got to offer.”

Currently BBC World Service English is available on analogue/DAB Radio, online, and through its partner stations around the world whilst other BBC Radio stations can be accessed outside the UK via the BBC website www.bbc.co.uk/radio

The BBC iPlayer Radio app is available today in Ireland for iOS, Android and Amazon devices and it will gradually roll out to other parts of the world.

The BBC iPlayer Radio app is freely available to download from the Apple App Store, Google Play and Amazon Store.

At launch, the BBC iPlayer Radio app supports iOS running 7.1 and above, Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and above and Amazon Kindle Fire 2012 and above.

Find a list of stations available on the BBC iPlayer Radio app internationally here

The BBC iPlayer Radio app has been downloaded over 10 million times in the UK since launch in 2012.

FS