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The Explanation

BBC World Service
The Explanation
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371 episodes

  • The Explanation

    The Media Show: TV screenwriter Russell T Davies

    15/10/2026 | 22 mins.
    Writer and producer Russell T Davies reflects on his career, from the groundbreaking series Queer as Folk to the revival of Doctor Who, Years and Years and his latest Channel 4 drama Tip Toe.
    The BBC has issued an apology for making false and defamatory allegations about the founder of PinkNews and his husband. Katy Searle, Head of Opinion at The i, and legal expert Clive Coleman assess the editorial and legal implications of the case.
    Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins
    Producer: Tim Bano
    Content Producer: Lucy Wai
    Editor: Gavin Poncia
    Researcher: Ruth Waites
    Sound: Adrian Bhargava
    Technical Coordinator: Mark Dickins
  • The Explanation

    The President's Path: Could Trump deliver Democrats a midterm victory?

    09/10/2026 | 16 mins.
    Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann look at the Democrats' race to the midterms. The party is eyeing some key victories in races across the country, to secure control of either the House or Senate – or both – come November. Recent polls appear promising, but what is deciding voters’ minds about who will get their vote – or if they will even head to the polls?

    Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk

    Senior producer: Ellyn Duncan
    Editor: Magnus McGrandle
    Executive producer: Anna Holford
  • The Explanation

    Unspun World: Israel marks three years since 7 October attacks

    09/10/2026 | 26 mins.
    John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores how Israeli attitudes have changed three years on from the 7 October attacks, analyses the possible impacts of the midterm elections on the Trump presidency, and examines the civil war in Yemen.
    Producer: Kate Cornell
    Executive producer: Benedick Watt
    Commissioning editors: Silvia Costeloe and Paul Royall
  • The Explanation

    The Media Show: Hungary and the battle for press freedom

    08/10/2026 | 22 mins.
    Six months after Péter Magyar’s election ended Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule, Hungary’s new government faces scrutiny over its promised press reforms. BBC East and Central Europe Correspondent Nick Thorpe reports from Budapest on how the country’s media is changing.
    Broadcaster Anneka Rice reflects on fifty years since joining the BBC as a trainee, tracing her career across television and radio and the changes she has witnessed in British broadcasting.
    As the Cornell rape investigation continues, journalism experts including Dr Robert Topinka of Birkbeck, University of London, and Professor Kathleen Bartzen Culver of the University of Wisconsin–Madison consider the ethical and legal responsibilities of reporters covering sensitive cases.
    Presenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall
    Producer: Lucy Wai
    Content Producer: Emily Channon
    Editor: Gavin Poncia
    Researcher: Ruth Waites
    Sound: Mike Campbell
    Technical Coordinator: James Cherry
  • The Explanation

    The President's Path: Do Trump's endorsements help?

    02/10/2026 | 16 mins.
    Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann examine the role President Trump is playing in the race to November’s midterm elections. They discuss whether his endorsement is helping Republican candidates, look at the key battleground races, and explore the issues likely to matter most to voters.
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About The Explanation
Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin. Exploring the important questions about long-running stories and the latest global news. An honest, unvarnished, explanation of the world. Featuring new episodes of The President's Path, Unspun World with John Simpson, and The Media Show.
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