Help / Podcasts

Getting Started - Podcast Basics

Interested in listening to some podcast from the BBC, but don't know where to start? Don't worry! We've put together a Beginner's Guide to Podcasts which should help you get started in no time at all.

What's more, BBC Webwise provide an interactive introduction to podcasting, presented by Julia Bradbury.
Podcasting lets you automatically receive the latest episode of your chosen programme as soon as it's available. You can then transfer podcast episodes to a portable media player (e.g. MP3 player) and listen wherever and whenever you like.

Below, you will find answer to some of the most frequently asked questions about downloading or subscribing to podcasts.

• What is a podcast?
• What is an mp3?
• What is RSS?
• What is the difference between downloading, podcasting and the 'listen again' service?
• Do I have to subscribe in order to listen?
• How do I subscribe to a podcast?
• How do I unsubscribe from a podcast?
• Do I have to pay for podcasts?
• What kind of internet connection do I need?
• How do I download an episode of a podcast?
• Can I burn podcast episodes to CD?
• Do I need to have an iPod or MP3 player to listen to, or subscribe to, podcasts?
• Where can I buy radio programmes or series on CD or cassette?
• I'm going on holiday - will my podcasts be downloaded while I'm away?

• Hot Topics

• Can I download radio programmes to listen to later?

• Can I listen to local BBC radio through my TV?

• What is a podcast?

• How can I check my DAB coverage?

• I want to download past podcast episodes - is there an archive?

• Other BBC Help

• BBC iPlayer help

• bbc.co.uk/help

• BBC Webwise guides to the internet