After a long trial, the BBC is to officially launch a daily podcast of BBC Radio 4's The Archers as part of a new service offering more than a hundred titles to download. The everyday podcast of country folk, containing the latest episode in full, will be available from this Sunday onwards.
The programme already has a sizeable following online, where it regularly receives a million "listen again" requests per month on the BBC Radio Player.
Mark Friend, Controller, Multiplatform & Interactive, BBC Audio & Music, said: "Podcasting gives listeners more control over where and when they listen to our programmes. Our podcasting trial has been extremely popular and I'm delighted that we can now begin to offer our audiences a much wider range of great content to download."
Mark Damazer, Controller, Radio 4, says: "The Archers' audience has already demonstrated that it loves the chance to listen to the goings on in Ambridge in its own time.
"Now — The Archers meets Podcasting — a marriage, or civil partnership, between one of Radio 4's longest-lasting hits and new technology. I anticipate nothing but happiness and many more Radio 4 programmes will be podcast too."
Vanessa Whitburn, Editor, The Archers, says: "It's marvellous to be able to offer The Archers to take away and enjoy. It's the first audio drama to be made available by the BBC in this way and everyone in Ambridge is delighted."