The latest listening figures for BBC Sounds have set new records, with the platform achieving an all-time high of 644 million plays across radio, podcasts, and music mixes in Q4 2024. This period, spanning October to December 2024, saw a surge in audience engagement, driven by major global events, festive content, and new music offerings.
BBC Sounds Hits Record 644 Million Plays in Q4 2024 | Top Podcasts, Music & Election Impact

Key Highlights from Q4 2024:
- 644 million total plays across BBC Sounds.
- 253 million plays of on-demand radio and podcasts.
- Weekly audience average reached 4.8 million, peaking at 4.96 million during US election week.
- New music streams launched: Radio 3 Unwind and Radio 1 Anthems.
- Halloween and Christmas specials boosted podcast engagement.
- BBC podcasts gained 214 million downloads worldwide.
- US election coverage drove high traffic to news and current affairs podcasts.
Surge in Audience Engagement During US Election Week
One of the biggest drivers of audience engagement in Q4 2024 was the US presidential election in November. During this critical period, BBC Sounds experienced a peak weekly audience of 4.96 million active accounts. News and current affairs podcasts played a pivotal role in keeping listeners informed: