In 2022 (January to November) there have been over 1.48 billion plays of radio, music and podcasts on BBC Sounds, an increase of 12% over a similar period in 2021, as listeners continue to enjoy a range of brilliant audio from across the BBC.

The latest figures also show there were 582 million plays of podcasts and on demand radio programmes on BBC Sounds in the UK in 2022, an increase of 16% compared with last year, with podcast listening in particular jumping a further 27% this year. On demand listening for music mixes on BBC Sounds also increased by 1.5 million plays from 2021.

The top ten most popular podcasts of 2022 in the UK (based on BBC Sounds plays between January and November) were:

Newscast
You’re Dead To Me
Ukrainecast
Limelight
The Coming Storm
Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley
Putin
Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley
Bad People
Uncanny

Jonathan Wall, Director of BBC Sounds, says: “Our big hits again show the huge range of things people come to BBC Sounds for, from reactive podcasts that have shined a light on this year’s major global events to history, comedy, escapism and the good company of our brilliant podcast hosts. More and more people are using BBC Sounds to easily enjoy their favourite BBC radio, podcasts and music, as well as discover new things through features like Back to Back Sounds.”

Podcasts

In another year dominated by the news agenda, listeners turned to BBC Sounds to help make sense of the headlines with Newscast once again ending the year as the most popular podcast. The Liz Truss BBC Local Radio Interviews was also the most listened to episode of Newscast ever. Ukrainecast was among the top ten most listened to podcasts this year along with Putin, both produced in response to the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Following the fallout from the storming of the US Capitol, Gabriel Gatehouse’s journey into the dark undergrowth of modern America in The Coming Storm was the fifth most popular podcast on BBC Sounds this year.

True crime continued to prove popular with listeners as Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley investigated the crimes of Victorian women from a contemporary, feminist perspective, and the enduringly popular Bad People dissected the psychology behind humanity’s dark side. Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley continued to appeal to listeners by providing scientifically proven tips to improve health and wellbeing, as well as sharing slumber advice with the new series Sleep Well. Episodes on eccentric exercise and how to breathe were the most popular from the series this year.

New drama strand Limelight was the fourth most popular podcast on BBC Sounds, delivering innovative new audio dramas with some of the nation’s best writing and acting talent, including the fantasy horror English Rose and the North East based thriller Exemplar starring Gina McKee. With three summer specials this year, Uncanny was the tenth most listened podcast on BBC Sounds, investigating real-life stories of paranormal encounters with Danny Robins.

Podcasts Episodes

From deep dives to reactive news titles, investigative podcasts dominated the most listened to episodes on BBC Sounds in 2022, with the first episode of Putin ‘The Moth’ at the top this year. The first seven episodes of The Coming Storm all feature in the top ten most popular on the platform, as listeners sought to understand the origins of QAnon and its journey from conspiracy theory to influence on the US political mainstream. The second series of Gangster, telling the story of drugs baron Curtis Warren, was another hit with listeners and the first episode ‘Just A Lad from Tocky’ was the tenth most listened to on BBC Sounds this year, after the opening episode of Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley about notorious husband poisoner, Florence Bravo.

On demand radio programmes

On demand radio continues to grow with changing listening habits, giving people the ability to listen to their favourite radio programmes on BBC Sounds whenever they choose. The Archers was the most popular on demand programme, with audiences also indulging in other much-loved long-running series such as Desert Island Discs, In Our Time, Sherlock Holmes and The News Quiz.

Music

Helping listeners drift off with soothing sleepscapes, The Sleeping Forecast long listen on Back To Back Sounds was the most popular music mix on BBC Sounds this year. The hugely popular Sounds of the 90s with Fearne Cotton was second, followed by Radio 1 Happy and Pace Setter. The new series My Sounds, curated by some of the biggest names from across the BBC to celebrate its centenary, was the fifth most popular music mix in 2022, with Martin Freeman’s selection the third most popular music mix of the year.

Comedy

Comedy provided a welcome escape for listeners on BBC Sounds in 2022, with four out of the top ten on demand radio programmes this year made up of comedy titles. The most listened to comedy programme was Mark Steel’s In Town, which sees the comedian travel across the UK and beyond, exploring weird and wonderful towns and writing a stand-up show about them. Other comedy programmes in the top five include firm favourites The Unbelievable Truth, The News Quiz, Infinite Monkey Cage and Friday Night Comedy.

Investigations and true crime

Investigative and true crime podcasts continued to captivate listeners on BBC Sounds this year, with long running series and brand new titles among the most listened to in 2022. Taking listeners on a journey across the pond and into the tumultuous aftermath of the 2020 election, The Coming Storm was the most listened to title in this genre. Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley, investigating the stories of women who kill, was the second most popular, followed by the podcast that delves into the psychology behind humanity’s dark side, Bad People. Other titles in the top five include new episodes of Uncanny featuring live recordings from Hay Festival 2022 and the hugely popular series examining past events with fresh eyes, Assume Nothing.

Interviews

With A-listers lining up to appear and the discovery of historic episodes previously thought lost, Desert Island Discs proved as popular as ever on BBC Sounds in 2022. Adele’s was the fourth most listened to episode across all on demand radio programmes and podcasts this year, while Raiders of the Lost Archive unearthed episodes from celebrities including Bing Crosby, Dame Margot Fonteyn and James Stewart. Woman’s Hour was the second most listened to this year, followed by Elis James and John Robins who continued to serve up some classic conversations and top-quality content in 2022. Life Changing was the fourth most popular.

Sport

Listeners turned to BBC Sounds during landmark sporting events in 2022 like the FIFA World Cup, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and the Rugby Union World Cup, with podcasts and on demand radio programmes like Football Daily, whose alter egos World Cup Daily and Euros Daily drew huge numbers. Match of the Day: Top 10, Test Match Special, 5 Live Sport and Rugby Union Weekly were also among the most popular sports content on BBC Sounds last year.

Consumer

Audiences came to BBC Sounds to learn about self-improvement and help navigate the cost-of-living crisis in 2022. Podcasts like Sliced Bread and Just One Thing with Michael Mosley attracted large audiences this year, helping listeners make smarter choices when it comes to making purchases and encouraging healthier everyday habits. Elsewhere, shows like You and Yours and More or Less helped listeners with insightful advice and context behind the news.

Drama

Listeners indulged in some sleuthing this year, with Sherlock the second most listened to drama in 2022 after The Archers, and Miss Marple at number five. New drama strand Limelight was the fourth most popular title on BBC Sounds after Radio 4’s Afternoon Drama, delivering innovative new audio dramas with some of the nation’s best writing and acting talent.

History

The most listened to history programme on BBC Sounds this year was the enduring and constant In Our Time, presented by Melvyn Bragg. The comedy podcast that takes history seriously, You’re Dead To Me, was the second most popular, followed by Great Lives and new series The People Vs J Edgar Hoover, an examination of the first director of the FBI's death in office in 1972.