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How do I get the most out of the BBC Sounds app?

BBC Sounds app in use

Almost a year ago, I wrote a review of the BBC Sounds app. While I had my criticisms (and still think it’s too complicated), it does offer a neat way to customise programme listings so you immediately see what you’re interested in.

The key to this is the My Sounds button at the bottom of the main window, and the Subscribe option on individual programme pages. It’s simplicity itself to subscribe: you click on the programme you’re interested in and hit the Subscribe button.

Here, for instance, is the latest edition of the totally brilliant More or Less. (Its “Coronavirus special” is required listening if you want to cut through the fear-mongering and incorrect information.)

BBC Sounds More or Less

Press the Subscribe button and any new broadcasts (as well as older ones) will be added to your Subscribed list in My Sounds.

BBC Sounds Customise

The trick now is to build up a collection of programmes so that you get a couple of new additions each day. It essentially turns BBC Radio into Netflix.

Everyone will have their own tastes, of course, but here’s a selection of programmes that are worth adding:

BBC radio comedy shows

  • The Unbelievable Truth
  • Mark Watson Talks A Bit About Life
  • John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme
  • The Pin
  • Friday Night Comedy
  • Chain Reaction

Documentaries/factual

  • 13 Minutes to the Moon
  • More or Less
  • 50 things that made the modern economy
  • The History Hour
  • Outlook

Topical/current affairs

  • Last Word
  • Profile
  • The Coronavirus Newscast
  • Feedback
  • Any Questions?
  • From Our Own Correspondent

Music

  • Stereo Underground (tip: Ian Bedwell)
  • Mark Riley (tip: Power)
  • The Early Music Show
  • The BBC Introducing Mixtape

Sport

  • That Peter Crouch podcast
  • Sporting Witness
  • Don’t Tell Me The Score
  • Test Match Special

Feel free to add your own suggestions below.

About the author

Tim Danton

Tim Danton is editor-in-chief of PC Pro magazine and has written about technology since 1999. He enjoys playing with gadgets, playing with words and playing tennis. Email tim@bigtechquestion.com

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