The BBC has launched a new app, which draws together its music, radio and podcast material.

Called BBC Sounds, the development is a response to the changing nature of how people access radio content – increasingly through mobile devices and computers rather than a more traditional radio. 

BBC Director-General Tony Hall said of the new app: ‘Radio is a unique and precious part of our lives and we’re innovating to secure its future for generations to come. BBC Sounds is a standalone, and standout, destination bringing the best of everything we do in audio into one place. It allows us all to experiment – to explore new music, stories and ideas – to play with form and content.'

The app will configure itself to each user’s tastes, learning from their listening habits and providing relevant content. Such content will include many new podcasts, as well as returning ones, including ‘Classical Fix’, hosted by Clemency Burton-Hill and described as ‘a musical extension of the podcast series from Radio 3 in which famous faces get an introduction to classical music’. There will also be a number of music mixes - those focusing on classical repertoire will include Classical Focus from BBC Bitesize (‘a carefully curated backdrop of classical music to concentrate to’) and Classical Sunrise from Radio 3 (‘a selection of classical music to ease you into the weekend’).

The BBC also said earlier this month that when it opens up elements of its classical archive to the public (read full story), this too will be delivered through the new BBC Sounds app.