Help / General
What is the difference between a download, a podcast, and an audio stream?
There are a number of ways in which you can listen to BBC radio programmes using the internet. Nearly all shows are available as "streams", which can be played via the BBC iPlayer. In addition, some shows can be downloaded, and some are available as "podcasts".
Streams
All of the BBC's national, local and regional stations (including the BBC World Service) are available to listen to live on the internet (rights permitting). Furthermore - BBC iPlayer makes nearly all of our radio shows available to listen to on demand for up to 7 days after broadcast.
The BBC iPlayer uses "streaming" technology to deliver the recording of a programme from our servers to your computer. This audio file is simply transferred continuously bit-by-bit, while you are listening to it. Each programme you play is not saved on your computer; instead, it is sent to you every time you request it. For this reason, you always need to be connected to the internet when listening with the BBC iPlayer.
Downloads
Some radio programmes from the BBC can be downloaded. When you download a radio show, it is saved on your computer, and you can listen to it whenever you like, without needed to be connected to the internet, and without using the BBC iPlayer.
Downloads from the BBC are usually only available for 7 days after live broadcast, just like the BBC iPlayer.
Podcasts
A podcast is simply a series of these downloadable programmes. New “episodes” of a podcast are made available regularly, generally on a weekly or daily basis. The great thing about a podcast is that you can “subscribe” to it, using special software, so that every episode is downloaded for you automatically.
The BBC’s audio podcasts are available in the mp3 format, with which the vast majority of media player software is compatible. Mp3 files can also be transferred to a large and growing number of portable players (e.g. Apple iPod, Creative Zen, Microsoft Zune, Sony Walkman) so you listen wherever you feel like it.
You don’t have to subscribe to a podcast if you don’t want to; you can always download individual episodes as and when you feel like it.
Not all BBC radio programmes are available to download, but you can now subscribe to and download a wide range of BBC podcasts from across all of our national, regional and local stations. Remember, if your favourite BBC radio show is not available to download, or as a podcast, you should still be able to hear it whenever you like via streaming, using the BBC iPlayer.
To find out more about podcasting and see which shows can be downloaded, visit the BBC Podcast site.
If this does not answer your question sufficiently you may find more help on the pages linked to from the right hand side.
