Want to access BBC Radio 5 Live, the Beeb’s free-to-air news and sports channel, from outside the UK? You can use one vpn – – to unlock 5 Live via BBC Sounds and listen to it as usual, despite the latter’s international ban.
Why would you want that? Well, where to start? 5 Live is the home of the UK broadcaster, covering news and sporting events, as well as interviews and talks. Launched in March 1994, 5 Live now has 5.5 million weekly listeners, while its sports-focused sister station, 5 Sports Extra, has 1.4 million listeners and recently increased its market share by 68%. Special Test Match Cricket commentary.
Your daily production – 5 Living breakfast with Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards, on Nicky Campbell’s call and 5 LiveDrive with Clare McDonnell and Chris Warburton – keeping listeners up to date with the latest news. Sports dominate the evenings and days on weekends. 5 live sports.
How to listen to BBC Radio 5 live?
To access the exceptional performance of 5 Live, you have several options at your disposal. Of course, a medium wave radio (tuned to 909 or 693) or a digital radio is possible, but if you don’t have one, BBC Sound websiteBBC Sounds app (iOS/Android) and BBC Radio 5 Live website are also available
You need a BBC account to listen. Register here.
And if you miss your favorite show, don’t worry. You can listen again via BBC Sounds, and most programs are also available as podcasts, full versions or similar. Special Test Match Podcasta lighter version. Some, like those mentioned above. Elide and Giovanni AND Hello? These are podcast-like programs that will later be broadcast on 5Live.
However, we remember that from July 2025 international access will be possible BBC Sounds has closed its doors. Although the decision was met with disbelief, there are still ways to access the platform abroad. Read on to find out how.
Can I access BBC Radio 5 Live with BBC Sounds when I’m abroad or on holiday?
YES. UK residents who want to listen to BBC Radio 5 Live when traveling abroad can still access the BBC Sounds app via a VPN. We recommend 75% off and another 3 months free…
How to unblock BBC Radio 5 Live on BBC Sounds with a VPN
If you’re currently outside the UK and can’t use BBC Sounds, you can still access the app through the wonders of one vpn (Virtual Private Networks).
The software makes it appear as if your devices are in your home country, no matter where you are in the world. Perfect for listeners who are at work or on vacation and want to feel at home.
is our favorite:
Troubleshooting tips for BBC Sounds
If you Despite this If you can’t access BBC Radio 5 Live via BBC Sounds, even if you use a VPN, there are several things you can try.
Make sure your BBC account is linked to a valid UK postcode, eg B. W1A 1AA.
BBC Sounds app (iOS/ Android) will not appear in the Play Store or App Store outside of the UK. However, you may be able to fix this problem by changing your phone’s region in the settings menu.
The BBC, like most broadcasters and networks, finds itself in a never-ending battle with VPN providers.
While we’ve listed the best VPNs for iPlayer based on what we’ve discovered through extensive testing, there’s no guarantee that if one works today, it’ll still work tomorrow. In this case, you can raise the issue with your VPN provider’s customer service and ask them to recommend the best server for your connection.
Can I listen to BBC Radio 5 Live outside the UK without BBC Sounds?
It is absolutely possible. Listeners outside the UK now have access limited selection of the BBC’s audio programme BBC.com BBC website and app (iOS/ Android). And the good news is BBC Radio 5 live It’s one of them!
Although you can listen without an account via BBC.com and the BBC app, you’ll need to log in to download, watch and record programmes.
Visit the website linked above directly from a web browser and it will work. This is a rough solution and does not include the core features of BBC Sound, but you can listen to BBC Radio 5 Live.
In addition, only selected radio content will be available on demand via the BBC Radio 5 Live website. Due to sports rights, much live commentary is unavailable. For this reason, 5 Sports Extra is not available on BBC.com.
What are the top rated programs on BBC Radio 5 Live?
As the UK’s largest news and sports radio station with 5.4 million listeners, BBC Radio 5 Live has enjoyed huge popularity in recent times. On average, listeners listen six hours a week.
The daily edition follows a fixed formula with reports, interviews, debates and telephone conversations. 5 Living breakfast with Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards keeps tabs on the news and breaks down the biggest stories and some of the weirdest stories. Nicky CampbellThis will be followed by a conference call, during which listeners can comment on the day’s topics. Naga Munchetty then a mix of interviews and news.
Matt Chorley hosts a political show featuring interviews with politicians and light-hearted articles reviewing events. 5 LiveDrive with Clare McDonnell and Chris Warburton follows a similar pattern to that Breakfast show.
Sports dominate the evenings and days on weekends. 5 live sports with commentary on the Premier League and Champions League, rugby, tennis and Formula 1 as planned. Anything to do with sports, what’s happening in the world, regardless of niche, if it’s fun and interesting enough is up for discussion though. Tony Livesey presents the evening show and informs about the day’s events.
There are many podcast programs broadcast on 5 Live and we will discuss them in a later episode.
What sport is available on BBC Radio 5 Live?
Practically anything you can think of.
There’s live football commentary from the Premier League, Championship, Champions League, Europa League, international football (including the World Cup) and WSL, plus tennis coverage from Wimbledon, golf majors and Ryder Cup, Six Nations rugby and autumn internationals, plus elite boxing.
Cricket commentary is available on Special Test Matchincluding the 2025/26 Ashes, but via sports-focused sister channel 5 Live Sports Extra. The channel’s viewership increased by over half a million in the quarter ending October 2025.
Please note, however, that certain rights restrictions mean that it is not always possible to listen to a channel live from abroad. In reality, it varies by sport and even event. So do your research before trying to connect.
What are the best BBC Radio 5 Live podcasts?
As previously mentioned, 5 Live also broadcasts much of its own podcast content.
The most listened to over 35 program on BBC Sounds is a 5 Live classic. Alice James and John Robins shows the cast playing make-believe games, learning about Welsh and generally rehearsing. Podcasts are released every Tuesday and Friday, plus an added bonus exclusive to BBC Sounds. It has value.
Hello? He has best friends, award-winning singer Tom Grennan and a show Presenter Roman Kemp, Nepo’s self-proclaimed cousin of Spandau Ballet bassist Martin Kemp, spins in the air, laughs and speaks candidly.
If football is your passion, this is it The Wayne Rooney Show where the legendary former Everton, Manchester United and England striker talks to Kelly Somers and Kae Kurd about the latest stories and his exceptional career; The Monday Night Club with Mark Chapman and guests including ex-pro Chris Sutton and journalist Rory Smith to analyze the Premier League weekend; AND women’s soccer week like Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie, the WSL travels with a healthy dose of Lioness Chat.
For those who prefer an oval ball to a round one, weekly rugby It’s for you. A combination of Chris Jones, Ugo Monye, Danny Care and Chris Ashton bring you the latest news and plenty of jokes.
5 live boxing with Steve Bunce is a must for fans of the sweet science, as the journalist chronicles the final battles with the help of retired pros (including former world champions Barry Jones, Carl Frampton and others), plus some nostalgic flashbacks.
While The Ashes airs, there is also this Special Test Match Podcast This summarizes each day’s play as a Test takes place, bringing you the latest news, quizzes and entertainment from across Australia as the tour progresses.
Disclaimer
We test and assess VPN services in the context of legal recreational use. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms of that service). 2. Protect your online security and improve your online privacy abroad. We do not support or condone illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Future Publishing does not condone or condone the use of pirated copies for a fee.