BBC expands podcast trial

The BBC is expanding its podcasting trial to include hourly news bulletins, Woman’s Hour podcasts and audio highlights from BBC Two’s Newsnight.

In all, 29 more radio programmes and highlights packages will join the trial - which allows listeners to download shows and subscribe to regular podcasts.

To date the trial has been a massive success, with Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles' weekly podcast downloaded nearly half a million times in December.

From this month, Woman’s Hour will offer a daily download featuring the top item from the morning’s programme, Art’s programme Front Row will podcast a key interview each week, while news round-up Broadcasting House and discussion programme Start The Week will be available to download in their entirety once a week.

Other podcasts include the Chart Chat with JK & Joel, Radio 1 Entertainment News, the Best of Unsigned (Radio 1) and highlights of the Football debate on Radio Five Live.

There are also plans to bring the total number of programmes in the trial to 50.

All of the programmes will be available as downloads and podcasts at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/downloadtrial