BBC Podcasts Premium launches in Australia

BBC Studios’ BBC Podcasts Premium has launched in Australia exclusively on Apple Podcasts.

The service was released in Canada and the US in late 2021 where it ranked as one of Apple’s top 20 subscriber channels in 2022. 

Ad-free early access is being offered to shows like In Our Time the definitive explanatory history series covering science, religion, philosophy and more; The Infinite Monkey Cage a witty look at the world through the eyes of Brian Cox and Robert Ince and Lady Killers With Lucy Worsley. Ad-free versions of popular shows across news, history, true crime, pop culture and science are also included.

“The BBC is a world leader in audio content and the success of BBC Podcasts Premium in the US and Canada has shown that audiences really value the opportunity to access the best of our world-renowned impartial news and quality, distinctive podcasts in this way,” said Jennie Baird, BBC Studios EVP and MD of Digital News and Streaming.

“I am delighted that we are now able to make this offering available to Australian audiences on Apple Podcasts.”

Fiona Lang, General Manager of BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand, said: “The BBC is one of the largest producers of audio in the world. BBC Podcast Premium means Australian audiences now have a one-stop destination that curates the best of that BBC audio content. The BBC brand acts as a marker of quality in a crowded content market and I’m delighted that we have a subscription audio channel to sit alongside our suite of branded television channels.”

Subscribers unlock ad-free editions of the BBC’s podcasts, including BBC Global News Podcast, with twice daily briefings on weekdays and daily editions on weekends;  Football Daily, keeping fans up to date with what is happening across the Premier League, EFL and WSL; Fairy Meadow, investigating the disappearance of three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer from an Australian beach in 1970; health and well-being series Just One Thing with Michael Mosley.

BBC Podcasts Premium can be accessed from the BBC Podcasts channel on Apple Podcasts for $4.49 per month or at an annual price of $49.99 a year. Those looking to dip their toes in first can access a 7-day free trial is first.