BBC Studios expands pay model to the BBC App in the U.S.

Starting today, BBC Studios is extending the pay model experience and access to BBC’s extensive catalogue of documentary series and films to the BBC App in the U.S., providing paying users a seamless way to enjoy the full read, watch, and listen experience across platforms. This change does not affect users in the UK or other countries outside of the U.S.

In addition to documentaries and series, for less than $1 a week ($49.99/year) or $8.99/month, subscribers receive unlimited access to the BBC’s acclaimed global news and reporting, including full-length news articles and feature stories, a 24/7 livestream of the BBC News channel and more on BBC.com and the BBC App. In the coming months, planned benefits include early-release podcasts, exclusive newsletters, and additional premium content.

Visitors in the U.S. who choose not to pay will still have access to select global breaking news stories, BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service radio livestreams, BBC World Service Languages sites, and a variety of free newsletters and podcasts. UK Licence Fee payers travelling to the U.S. for holiday or work can access their usual content via the BBC News app, as long as they’ve downloaded the latest versions from the UK app stores before travelling.

The website and app, which are commercially funded and operate separately from other BBC platforms in the UK, identifies users based on their device’s geolocation, an industry standard practice to ensure compliance with the laws and content rights restrictions in each country.

There will be no change to the services that people in the UK will receive and have access to. All the content that’s available on BBC.com is also available to UK audiences through the BBC’s various channels and services.

This expansion follows the successful launch of the U.S. pay model on BBC.com in June 2025, and follows a year of strong audience growth. Over the past 12 months, BBC.com has delivered double-digit gains, up 12% in North America and 13% globally, highlighted by a record-breaking September in the U.S. with 77 million visitors and its highest-ever Comscore ranking at #13.

Building on this momentum, BBC.com has launched a dedicated Health vertical at bbc.com/health, creating a global destination for trusted health journalism that helps audiences lead healthier, happier lives. Health coverage has been a major driver of engagement on the site, with the average monthly audience for health features in North America up 40% year-over-year. The new section showcases the BBC’s distinctive approach to health and wellness reporting, from medical breakthroughs to practical guidance, and will serve as the home for popular offerings like the award-winning Health Fix newsletter and our newsletter courses, including Six Steps to Calm and the upcoming Live Well For Longer.

About BBC Studios

BBC Studios is the main commercial arm of BBC Commercial Ltd and generated revenues of £2.1 billion in the last year and profits of over £200 million for a fourth consecutive year. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, the business is built on two operating areas: the content studio, which produces, invests and distributes TV and audio globally and media & streaming, with BBC branded channels, services including UKTV, BBC.com and BritBox International and joint ventures in the UK and internationally. The business made almost 3,300 hours of award-winning British programmes last year for a wide range of UK and global broadcasters and platforms. Its content is internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, and includes world-famous brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, the Planet series, Bluey and Doctor Who.