When the BBC launched its iPlayer app for Windows Phone last week it left Windows Phone 7.5 users out in the cold. Third party app Listen Again provides a partial solution, giving access to the all of the BBC Radio (audio) portion of the BBC's on-demand catalogue. The app also works well on Windows Phone 8 for those who want an alternative to the iPlayer app.

The app will let you listen to almost any programme from the previous 7 days and covers the BBC's main national radio stations, including digital only channels, such as BBC Radio 4 Extra and BBC Radio 1Xtra. The BBC does also provide podcasts for many of its shows, but not all, due to licensing restrictions. That means the Listen Again app provides Windows Phone 7.5 users with access to content they would not otherwise be able to access on their device.

The app has a minimalist user interface, with a station - day - show descending navigation system, which makes it fast and easy to find the show you want to listen to. Each show gets a page with a thumbnail, an audio player with basic controls (play/pause, fast forward, and rewind), a short description, and a link to the shows associated web page (for further information).

Listen Again is available in international markets, but do note that some of the BBC's audio stream and region restricted. Some, however, are not, which as the app's Window Phone Store descriptions, makes Listen Again "ideal for expatriates missing their favourite programmes".

Windows Phone Store description:

This app lets you listen to BBC iPlayer radio streams over WiFi or 3G cellular networks. It does not show video.

You can listen to almost all programmes from the previous week. This includes programmes which are not available as podcasts. You can browse programmes by the day they were broadcast on, or you can browse episodes by series.  

Listen Again is a free download from the Windows Phone Store.