BBC Sounds delivered its strongest quarterly performance to date with a record 706 million plays between October and December.
These latest figures contributed to an extraordinary 2.8 billion plays across 2025.
The BBC’s reach beyond its own platforms also grew, with 885 million downloads on third party services this year, up 5% on last year.
On-demand speech content was downloaded 227 million times in the last quarter, and audiences engaged with BBC audio in new ways through 1.14 billion social video views in Q4, part of a total 4.3 billion views in 2025.
Uncanny was the most listened to podcast in the final quarter for all adults and for listeners under 35. Ahead of series five, the team staged a live Halloween special at the BBC’s Radio Theatre featuring James Acaster, and Diane Morgan appeared as guest for the Christmas special.
The History Podcast ranked second for all adults and made the top ten for under 35s, notable for its episode The House at Number 48, which follows a man’s effort to recover a family fortune stolen under the Nazis.
For under 35s, The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked was third most popular, helping BBC Sounds achieve a peak audience of 5.1 million listeners during the week commencing 3 November.
On-demand radio remained strong with Radio 1 Traitors’ Halloween special placing as the second most popular show among under 35s after Radio 1 00s.
Miss Me? continued to resonate with younger listeners through festive specials including appearances from Lily Allen and guest JADE.
As The Archers celebrated its 75th anniversary, the long-running drama topped on-demand radio plays.
Other enduring favourites such as Desert Island Discs, In Our Time and Mark Steel’s In Town were also in the top ten.
Among under 35s, Elis James and John Robins was the most listened to on-demand radio show, ahead of The Archers and Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James.
Sidetracked with Annie and Nick had the highest proportion of younger listeners, while Tailenders and Test Match Special Podcast also featured strongly following the Ashes in Australia.
Acquired podcasts continued to perform well, led by Sherlock Holmes Short Stories, Short History Of, Cold Tapes, The Rest Is History and Jane Austen Stories.
In music mixes, Christmas Music was most listened to in Q4, followed by The Sleeping Forecast and Radio 1’s Dance Anthems.
Globally on third party platforms, The Global News Podcast was the most downloaded, ahead of 6 Minute English and Newscast.
Kate Phillips, BBC Chief Content Officer, said: “The impressive performance of BBC Sounds, celebrating its strongest quarter to date, demonstrates the success of our digital strategy.
“I’m proud that we continue to bring audiences a breadth and scale of content that they won’t find anywhere else, however and whenever they choose to listen.”
