
The Explanation
by BBC World Service
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From 46 epsHosts
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The President's Path: Will affordability decide the US midterms?
Oct 16, 2026
16m 33s
Unspun World: Russia escalates attacks on Ukraine
Oct 16, 2026
26m 29s
The Media Show: TV screenwriter Russell T Davies
Oct 15, 2026
22m 59s
The President's Path: Could Trump deliver Democrats a midterm victory?
Oct 9, 2026
16m 43s
Unspun World: Israel marks three years since 7 October attacks
Oct 9, 2026
26m 29s
Insights from recent episode analysis
Audience Interest
Podcast Focus
Publishing Consistency
Platform Reach
Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
Most discussed topics
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Total monthly reach
Based on 1 signal.
Built from
By chart position
- 🇬🇧United Kingdom · News CommentaryHOME#3117K to 88K
- 🇮🇪Ireland · News Commentary#132.4K to 12K
- 🇧🇪BE · News Commentary#181.9K to 10.0K
- 🇮🇳India · News Commentary#661.8K to 9.6K
- 🇹🇷TR · News Commentary#281.4K to 7.2K
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
37K to 195K🎙 ~2x weekly·355 episodes·Last published 3d ago - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
74K to 390K🇬🇧45%🇮🇪6%🇧🇪5%+21 more - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
41K to 215K
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/16/26 | The President's Path: Will affordability decide the US midterms? | Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann discuss how the issue of affordability is playing out in different parts of the US - and shaping voters' views. Will voters punish the president and his team at the ballot box?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: [email protected] Senior producer: Ellyn Duncan Editor: James Kraft Executive producer: Anna Holford | 16m 33s | ||||||
| 10/16/26 | Unspun World: Russia escalates attacks on Ukraine | John Simpson explores the effect on civilians of Russia’s intense bombardment of Ukrainian cities, looks at how Turkey has become a more authoritarian state, and analyses China’s decision to regulate AI chatbots.Producer: Kate Cornell Executive producer: Benedick Watt Commissioning editors: Silvia Costeloe and Paul Royall | 26m 29s | ||||||
| 10/15/26 | The Media Show: TV screenwriter Russell T Davies | 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 | 22m 59s | ||||||
| 10/9/26 | The President's Path: Could Trump deliver Democrats a midterm victory? | 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: [email protected] Senior producer: Ellyn Duncan Editor: Magnus McGrandle Executive producer: Anna Holford | 16m 43s | ||||||
| 10/9/26 | Unspun World: Israel marks three years since 7 October attacks | 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 | 26m 29s | ||||||
| 10/8/26 | The Media Show: Hungary and the battle for press freedom | 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 | 22m 58s | ||||||
| 10/2/26 | The President's Path: Do Trump's endorsements help? | 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. | 16m 21s | ||||||
| 10/2/26 | What effect are Russian drone strikes having on Ukraine? | John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, looks at the impact of intensifying Russian attacks on Ukraine, analyses the state of the relationship between China and the United States, and examines the possibility of renewed civil war in Ethiopia. | 26m 30s | ||||||
| 10/1/26 | The Media Show: Reporting the Man City scandal | The Premier League alleges that Manchester City arranged sham contracts with commercial partners to conceal more than £830 million in funding. BBC Sport’s Laura Scott, Der Spiegel journalist Christoph Winterbach, Nick Harris from Sporting Intelligence, and Sky News sports correspondent Rob Harris explain how the story developed and the media’s role in reporting it over time. Also on the programme With Celebrity Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing returning to television, celebrity talent executive Stefania Aleksander describes the process of selecting the personalities who help make these entertainment formats successful, and the behind-the-scenes work that shapes some of the UK’s most-watched shows.Presenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall Producer: Lucy Wai Assistant: Emily Channon Editor: Gavin Poncia Researcher: Ruth Waites Sound: Chris Lovelock Technical Coordinator: Akik Rahman | 22m 59s | ||||||
| 9/28/26 | The President's Path: Trump on the world stage | Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann discuss President Trump's big week on the international stage, from the United Nations General Assembly to hosting China's president at the White House. They examine how the US president is managing friends and rivals, and grappling with an increasingly complex global landscape. | 16m 10s | ||||||
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| 9/25/26 | Unspun World: The state of Germany's government | John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the state of Germany’s government after resounding regional election defeats, looks at the effect of American cutbacks on the of future of the United Nations, and examines what we can learn from the tightly controlled elections in Russia. Producer: Kate Cornell Executive producer: Benedick Watt Commissioning editors: Silvia Costeloe and Paul Royall | 26m 29s | ||||||
| 9/24/26 | The Media Show: Earl Spencer, the Palace and the Press | The publication of Earl Spencer’s book about Princess Diana, serialised by the Daily Mail, has reignited debate over who shapes her legacy. BBC Royal Correspondent Sean Coughlan, Evening Standard Royal Editor Robert Jobson and media lawyer Mark Stephens discuss the competing narratives in the press and legal implications.The small village of Piddington in the UK has drawn global attention over plans to house more than a thousand asylum seekers. Guardian journalist Amelia Gentleman and BBC South’s Jamie Morris report on how a local dispute became an international story.Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content Producer: Lucy Wai Researcher: Ruth Waites Technical Coordinator: Margherita Campanaro Sound: Mark Pickett | 22m 59s | ||||||
| 9/18/26 | The President's Path: Is Canada's EU relationship a threat to Trump? | Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann discuss the European Union's ambition for Canada to become its first-ever "associate member", a status that does not currently exist. They examine what such a partnership could mean for Canada, President Trump’s reaction, and whether deeper ties with Europe could reshape Canada's future relationship with its neighbour. Senior producer: James Kraft Editor: James Kraft Executive producer: Anna Holford | 16m 27s | ||||||
| 9/18/26 | Unspun World: Yemen hostilities escalate | John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the impact of the latest outbreak of hostilities in Yemen, examines whether there is any hope for a Palestinian state in the Middle East, and explores the potential dangers of artificial intelligence.Producer: Kate Cornell Executive producer: Benedick Watt Commissioning editors: Silvia Costeloe and Paul Royall | 26m 30s | ||||||
| 9/17/26 | The Media Show: Is the right of reply under threat? | The right of reply has long been a cornerstone of journalism, giving those involved in a story the chance to respond before publication. But with politicians and public figures now using social media to publish their own version first, is this principle being undermined? Guto Harri, former Downing Street Director of Communications, Professor Karen Fowler-Watt from City St George’s, University of London, and journalist Matt Shea assess how the practice is changing. As streaming services compete for attention, TV remotes usually now include buttons for platforms like Netflix and YouTube, often paid for by the services themselves. UK broadcasters argue this disadvantages British platforms and have called for a dedicated ‘British’ button. Technology historian Edd Thomas and Professor Catherine Johnson from the University of Leeds explain why the remote has become such a significant battleground.Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content Producer: Lucy Wai Researcher: Ruth Waites Production Assistant: Cameron Taylor Technical Coordinator: Samuel Iyiola Sound: Nicola Brough | 22m 57s | ||||||
| 9/11/26 | The President's Path: How 9/11 changed America and the world | Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann reflect on the legacy of the 9/11 attacks 25 years on, examining their lasting impact on US society and foreign policy, and how that day reshaped the course of the world. | 16m 26s | ||||||
| 9/10/26 | The Media Show: A television experiment that lasted 60 years | In 1964, a group of seven-year-olds appeared in a TV documentary about class in Britain. The cameras returned every seven years to see how their lives had changed. Now, more than 60 years later, 70 Up brings the project to an end. Jo Clinton-Davis, Controller of Factual at ITV, talks about the people who took part and the legacy of a remarkable TV experiment. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has given an interview to Katie Razzall and The Media Show. She talks about BBC funding and cuts, its place in the UK media landscape, and proposals for a UK streaming service and a public service algorithm. Jake Kanter, international investigations editor at Deadline, gives his reaction.Channel 4’s undercover investigation into Reform UK has raised questions about how undercover journalism works and how political parties use opinion polls that later appear in the media. Sir John Curtice, professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde, and Stephan Shakespeare, CEO of YouGov, consider the issues raised by the story. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content producer: Lucy Wai Production co-ordinator: Colette Cunningham Technical co-ordinator: Mark Dickins Sound engineer: Allyson Purcell-Davis | 22m 59s | ||||||
| 9/4/26 | Trump's presidencymidterm elections+4 | Bernd Debusmann | BBC World ServiceTrump’s presidency | AmericaUS | Trumpmidterms+6 | — | 1h 02m 51s | ||
| 9/3/26 | AI in journalismmedia ethics+3 | Niklas GruhnDiane Brady | BBC NewsThe Atlantic+1 | — | meat proxyAI journalism+5 | — | 22m 58s | ||
| 8/28/26 | trade warUS-Canada relations+3 | Bernd Debusmann | CanadaUnited States | — | trade warCanada+6 | — | 16m 31s | ||
| 8/27/26 | YouTubetelevision+3 | Alison LomaxClaire Mundell+2 | YouTubeSynchronicity Films+3 | — | YouTubetelevision+3 | — | 22m 58s | ||
| 8/21/26 | US politicsinternational relations+4 | Bernd DebusmannCourtney Subramanian | OmanBBC World Service | — | TrumpNorth Korea+7 | — | 15m 46s | ||
| 8/20/26 | media conductplagiarism allegations+3 | Nick ClarkCharles Moore+3 | The TelegraphThe Spectator+3 | — | Jason Ardaymedia scrutiny+3 | — | 22m 58s | ||
| 8/14/26 | AI data centresmidterm elections+3 | Bernd DebusmannCourtney Subramanian | Trump administration | China | AIdata centres+5 | — | 16m 17s | ||
| 8/13/26 | YouTubemedia+4 | James MayLucy Brown+3 | Little Dot StudiosTimes Higher Education+3 | — | YouTubeJames May+5 | — | 22m 57s | ||
| 8/7/26 | AI innovationAI regulation+3 | Bernd Debusmann | BBC World ServiceChina | — | TrumpAI+5 | — | 15m 55s | ||
| 8/6/26 | Alternative HollywoodChristian films+4 | Max TaniKelly Merryman Hoogstraten+3 | SemaforWonder Project+3 | Trinidad and TobagoCalifornia | Alternative HollywoodChristian films+5 | — | 22m 59s | ||
| 7/17/26 | US politicselection interference+3 | Caitríona PerryBernd Debusmann | China | — | TrumpChina+4 | — | 16m 26s | ||
| 7/16/26 | press freedomnational security+4 | Iain Dale | The Media MixBBC+1 | QatarNew York | TrumpNew York Times+6 | — | 22m 59s | ||
| 7/10/26 | US-Iran conflictpolitical implications+3 | — | BBC World Service | USIran | US-Iran conflictpolitical implications+3 | — | 16m 03s | ||
| 7/9/26 | mediapolitics+3 | Gabriel PogrundMichael Crick+2 | The Sunday TimesAssociated Newspapers+3 | Britain | Nigel Faragemedia campaign+5 | — | 22m 58s | ||
| 7/3/26 | US politicsAmerican dream+3 | — | BBC World Service | Washington DCAmerica | AmericaUS politics+3 | — | 24m 31s | ||
| 7/2/26 | media businesssports journalism+3 | Jamie MurrayCatherine Whitaker+2 | BBCNetflix+6 | UkraineRussia+1 | Wimbledonmedia+5 | — | 22m 59s | ||
| 6/26/26 | US politicsAmerica's anniversary+3 | — | BBC World Service | America | Trumpanniversary+5 | — | 25m 22s | ||
| 6/26/26 | British politicsUS politics+3 | — | BBC | BritainUS+1 | BritainUS politics+3 | — | 26m 29s | ||
| 6/25/26 | media ethicssocial media+4 | Jayne AllportJoshi Herrmann+1 | USDAWThe Mill+1 | NigeriaLagos+3 | shop workerssocial media consent+5 | — | 22m 58s | ||
| 6/19/26 | Iran dealU.S. politics+4 | Bernd BuzmanFin Gomez | — | IranAmerica+4 | Iran dealTrump+6 | — | 25m 15s | ||
| 6/12/26 | Trump's birthdayUFC event+4 | — | UFCDana White | AmericaSouth Lawn of the White House+2 | TrumpUFC+7 | — | 24m 36s | ||
| 6/12/26 | Israel-Hezbollah conflictSpaceX flotation+3 | — | BBCSpaceX | IsraelLebanon+1 | IsraelHezbollah+7 | — | 26m 28s | ||
| 6/11/26 | World Cupjournalism+5 | Alex Kay-JelskiCraig Hope+4 | BBC SportDaily Mail+4 | BelfastUS+2 | World Cupjournalism+8 | — | 22m 58s | ||
| 6/8/26 | US-Israel relationsIran war+5 | — | Pew | — | TrumpNetanyahu+7 | — | 24m 58s | ||
| 6/5/26 | IranUS-Iran relations+4 | — | BBC | IranUnited States+1 | IranUS relations+4 | — | 26m 29s | ||
| 6/4/26 | sports documentariesmedia analysis+4 | Zachary HeinzerlingJohn Ferguson+2 | Ampere AnalysisCBS News | — | Rafael NadalNetflix documentary+4 | — | 22m 59s | ||
| 5/29/26 | Iran WarUS politics+4 | Bernd DebusmannFin Gomez | CBS NewsBBC World Service | Texas | Iran WarTexas primaries+3 | — | 24m 54s | ||
| 5/29/26 | US foreign policyCuba+4 | — | BBCBBC World Service | CubaUS+1 | US invasionCuba+4 | — | 26m 27s | ||
| 5/28/26 | media influencefilm industry+3 | Michael GradeDawn Alford+3 | OfcomSociety of Editors+3 | FranceUK+3 | Vincent Bollorémedia influence+5 | — | 22m 58s | ||
| 5/22/26 | US politicsCuba relations+4 | — | Department of JusticeCIA | CubaUnited States | TrumpCuba+6 | — | 24m 59s | ||
| 5/8/26 | US politicsmidterm elections+3 | Bernd DebusmannFin Gomez | BBC World Service | Iran | Trumpmidterm elections+3 | — | 24m 49s | ||
| 5/8/26 | IranUS relations+4 | — | BBC | IranUnited States+3 | IranUnited States+5 | — | 26m 29s | ||
| 5/7/26 | mediasports funding+4 | Guy GomaElliott Gotkine+3 | Saudi ArabiaBBC+3 | — | BBC NewsGuy Goma+5 | — | 22m 58s | ||
| 5/1/26 | US politicsDonald Trump+4 | — | White HouseBBC World Service | UKUS | Donald Trumpsafety+5 | — | 25m 11s | ||
| 5/1/26 | TrumpIran+5 | — | BBCKate Cornell+3 | IranChina+1 | TrumpIran+5 | — | 26m 28s | ||
| 4/30/26 | reality televisionmedia editing+3 | Lauren MorrisDonald Clarke+3 | ITVThe Independent+1 | USUK | I’m a Celebrityreality TV editing+5 | — | 22m 58s | ||
| 4/24/26 | US politicspeace talks+4 | Sumi SomaskandaBernd Debusmann | White HouseBBC | IranCuba+2 | Trumppeace deal+4 | — | 24m 33s | ||
| 4/24/26 | US-Iran relationsStrait of Hormuz+4 | — | BBCEuropean Union | IranUnited States+2 | US-Iran standoffStrait of Hormuz+4 | — | 26m 29s | ||
| 4/23/26 | mediaparanormal+4 | Danny RobbinsKatie Linsell+3 | BBCQVC+3 | Hungary | UncannyQVC+8 | — | 22m 59s | ||
| 4/17/26 | Trump's legacyIran war+3 | Bernd DebusmannCourtney Subramanian | BBC World Service | — | TrumpIran+5 | — | 24m 57s | ||
| 4/16/26 | space explorationmedia coverage+5 | — | BBCCommittee to Protect Journalists+1 | KuwaitKuwait City | Artemis IINASA+6 | — | 22m 59s | ||
| 4/10/26 | US politicsIran relations+3 | Caitriona PerryBernd Debusmann | — | IranWashington | TrumpIran+5 | — | 24m 48s | ||
| 4/9/26 | investigative journalismAI power dynamics+3 | Ronan FarrowMadhumita Murgia+1 | OpenAIFinancial Times+2 | — | Sam AltmanRonan Farrow+5 | — | 22m 59s | ||
| 4/3/26 | US politicsIran war+4 | Caitriona PerryBernd Debusmann | BBC World Service | USIran+1 | TrumpIran+4 | — | 22m 45s | ||
| 4/2/26 | artificial intelligencejournalism+4 | Nick LichtenbergJane Martinson+1 | FortuneCity, University of London+6 | — | AI in journalismsocial media addiction+5 | — | 22m 59s | ||
| 3/27/26 | US politicsIran conflict+3 | Caitriona PerryBernd Debusmann | BBC World Service | USIsrael+1 | US politicsIran+3 | — | 24m 53s | ||
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Chart history for The Explanation
Peaked at #13 in Ireland, currently #13 in Ireland.
| Market | Genre | Peak | Current | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | — | #13 | #13 | — |
| BE | — | #18 | #18 | — |
| VN | — | #22 | #22 | — |
| KE | — | #23 | #23 | — |
| PE | — | #24 | #24 | — |
| TH | — | #26 | #26 | — |
| TR | — | #28 | #28 | — |
| United Kingdom | — | #31 | #31 | — |
| IS | — | #32 | #32 | — |
| PH | — | #34 | #34 | — |
| NG | — | #41 | #41 | — |
| South Africa | — | #45 | #45 | — |
| PT | — | #52 | #52 | — |
| SA | — | #53 | #53 | — |
| SG | — | #59 | #59 | — |
| New Zealand | — | #62 | #62 | — |
| CZ | — | #64 | #64 | — |
| India | — | #66 | #66 | — |
| CO | — | #67 | #67 | — |
| TW | — | #69 | #69 | — |
Chart Positions
46 placements across 44 markets.
Chart Positions
46 placements across 44 markets.