Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.

Find out how to listen to other BBC stations

Episode details

World Service,10 Aug 2026,10 mins

Loudcasting: Is it ever OK to go headphone free in public?

What in the World

Available for over a year

There’s a name for when people blare out music, scroll through social media on full volume or talk on loudspeaker in public - loudcasting. Surveys show that in the U.K. most adults find this behaviour irritating, but there’s also data suggesting that your age and culture may influence how indifferent you are to this kind of noise. BBC Reporter Angus Thompson tells us what experts say and explains why some people get so annoyed. Plus we hear from our friends across the World Service about loudcasting in their country. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editors: Verity Wilde

Programme Website
More episodes