MSE Podcast RSS seems to have died

KingL2

Since 4 Sept 2025 my MSE podcast downloads are failing, (via RSS on RadioDownloader app (Windows10)) returning a 403 Forbidden error, specifically

Error: Remote problem

The remote server returned an error (403) Forbidden.

It downloads the headers OK, but not the media.

I'm using  https://podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/p02pc9xt.rss

Is there a new RSS url?   I only find RSS addys for the (text) news feed.  Or some other solution?

No, I don't want to use BBC Sounds or stream it from Spotify etc.

TIA

Neil_Jones

I  just set up an RSS viewer in in Firefox, opened your link/feed and was able to download and play no problem at all from the feed including files from after Sep 4.

So its definitely working which suggests the issue is with your app (although I've just searched the Microsoft Store and I cant find anything by that name, though I have found https://nerdoftheherd.com/tools/radiodld/ which may what you mean), but that program hasn't been updated since 2020.

Anyway you can do it all in a web browser and use Windows tools to play so...

KingL2

Thanks for looking

Yes, it's the nerdoftheherd app.  I've had dealings with the developer before and he's very helpful.

When it works (and it does for all other podcasts except for the last 3 MSE eps) it is very convenient to use, it automatically downloads all my subscribed podcasts with zero effort (and without having to sell my cookies to the man!). I would prefer to continue using it if possible, maybe I'll contact the developer guy

EDIT: Turns out it's a known 'bug' that recently emerged when the BBC changed something at their end. Others have reported it and it is assigned on the Dev's 'to fix list'