BBC Throws Up Website Paywall for U.S. Users

[Eugene]

Source: Variety

Jun 26, 2025 4:07am PT

BBC Throws Up Website Paywall for U.S. Users

By Todd Spangler

Online news and programming from the U.K.’s biggest broadcaster will carry a price for some American fans. BBC Studios and BBC News have launched the “first phase” of a pay model for BBC.com in the U.S.

U.S users of BBC.com who choose not to pay will still have access to “select global breaking news stories,” as well as BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service radio livestreams, BBC World Service Languages sites, and a variety of free newsletters and podcasts, the BBC said.

In the initial phase of the BBC’s paywall launch, the subscription will cost $8.99 per month or $49.99 per year. U.S. users who sign for a subscription will get unlimited access to the BBC’s news articles, feature stories and the 24-7 livestream of the BBC News channel. In the coming months “as we test and learn from audience consumption,” the BBC said, ad-free documentary series and films (including the full BBC Select documentary catalogue), ad-free and early release podcasts, and exclusive newsletters and content will be included in the offer.

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Read more: https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/bbc-us-website-paywall-subscription-pricing-1236441560/

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credit ot YouTuber Adam Martyn for the heads up

Related: BBC website in US launches paid subscription service (BBC)

[Eugene]

1. IT'S COMING... The BBC Introduces Subscriptions?!

[Maninacan]

7. Paywall

I pay and notify msm sites that i did it cause they all suck.

[TommyT139]

2. I didn't know there was so much available

I'm a big fan of TheGuardian.com -they even gave some podcast/audio long form pieces, as well as videos.

[Alice Kramden]

4. Yes

The Guardian is still free to access and contains excellent information

[Easterncedar]

6. And subscribing to the Guardian is great if you can.

[AllaN01Bear]

3. bye bye

[Easterncedar]

5. The World Service news stream still free

That’s a treasure.

I don’t blame the BBC. Britain’s economy is on the ropes.

[Maninacan]

8. Gladly paywall

I will sign up. The only place to get real news.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

9. Soft power retaliation?

I tend to only read the headlines and first paragraph or so.