
The Explanation
by BBC World Service
Is this your podcast?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.
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Total monthly reach
Estimated from 42 chart positions in 42 markets.
By chart position
- 🇬🇧GB · News Commentary#6130K to 100K
- 🇦🇺AU · News Commentary#1555K to 30K
- 🇪🇸ES · News Commentary#5510K to 30K
- 🇯🇵JP · News Commentary#5510K to 30K
- 🇰🇷KR · News Commentary#5710K to 30K
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
87K to 285K🎙 Daily cadence·304 episodes·Last published today - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
289K to 949K🇻🇳32%🇬🇧11%🇦🇺3%+39 more - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
87K to 285K
Market Insights
Platform Distribution
Reach across major podcast platforms, updated hourly
Total Followers
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
On the show
From 36 epsHosts
Recent guests
Recent episodes
The Media Show: Meet the 'meat proxies'
Sep 3, 2026
22m 58s
Heated rivalry: US v Canada
Aug 28, 2026
16m 31s
The Media Show: Is YouTube the new TV?
Aug 27, 2026
22m 58s
The President's Path: Trump redefines America’s friends and foes
Aug 21, 2026
15m 46s
The Media Show: The death of Jason Arday
Aug 20, 2026
22m 58s
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/3/26 | The Media Show: Meet the 'meat proxies' | “Meat proxy” is a new term coined to describe someone who acts as a human conduit for material generated by AI. Software engineer Niklas Gruhn, who came up with the phrase, joins Will Oremus, staff writer at The Atlantic and Fortune’s executive editorial director Diane Brady, to discuss how much AI is being used in journalism and when readers should be told about it.Five years after US troops withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban returned to power, Lyse Doucet has been back in the country, including visiting one of the secret schools set up for girls. BBC News’ Chief International Correspondent discusses what it takes to report from Afghanistan now, the restrictions she encountered and the difficult decisions involved in protecting contributors.Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content producer: Lucy Wai Junior production co-ordinator apprentice: Cameron Taylor Technical co-ordinator: Christopher Brown Sound engineer: Michael Campbell | 22m 58s | ||||||
| 8/28/26 | Heated rivalry: US v Canada | Mark Carney’s tough response to Donald Trump signals an escalation to the trade war between Canada and the United States. What does the dispute could mean for people and businesses on both sides of the border? What impact could the tariffs have on Trump’s midterm prospects? Could Canada could turn to other trading partners and European allies for support? Caitriona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Whitehouse correspondent Bernd Debusmann explore. | 16m 31s | ||||||
| 8/27/26 | The Media Show: Is YouTube the new TV? | A special show from the Edinburgh TV Festival, where some of the industry’s biggest players have gathered from around the world to debate the future of television. YouTube now has 2.7 billion monthly active users, watching more than a billion hours of video every day, and many in the industry are asking whether it has become “the new TV”. Alison Lomax, Managing Director of YouTube UK and Ireland, gives the platform’s perspective on its growth, its algorithm and its relationship with creators. Claire Mundell, Managing Director and Creative Director of Synchronicity Films, Richard Cowles, CEO of Lifted Entertainment, and Jamie MacDonald, Head of Originals at After Party Studios, give their perspectives on the state of the industry and what could be coming next.Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content Producer: Lucy Wai Assistant Producer: Laura Cain Researcher: Ruth Waites Sound: Sean Mullervy and Ben Andrews | 22m 58s | ||||||
| 8/21/26 | The President's Path: Trump redefines America’s friends and foes | Sumi Somaskanda, Bernd Debusmann and Courtney Subramanian explore how President Trump is reshaping America's relationships with allies and adversaries. They discuss Trump's willingness to meet North Korea's Kim Jong Un again, rising tensions with ally Oman, and what it could mean for the United States’ role on the world stage.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] producer: James Kraft Editor: James Kraft Executive producer: Anna Holford | 15m 46s | ||||||
| 8/20/26 | The Media Show: The death of Jason Arday | The death of Cambridge academic Jason Arday has prompted intense debate about media conduct, following weeks of reporting on allegations of plagiarism and questions about aspects of his life story. Critics have accused journalists of contributing to an atmosphere of relentless scrutiny, while others argue that legitimate public interest questions were being pursued. Nick Clark, a childhood friend of Jason Arday, reflects on his experience of speaking to reporters. Charles Moore, columnist at The Telegraph and The Spectator, Seun Matiluko, freelance journalist, Sarah Ditum, Times Columnist and Stephen Bush, columnist at the Financial Times, consider questions of proportionality, public interest and journalistic responsibility.Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content producer: Lucy Wai Researcher: Ruth Waites Technical coordinator: Mark Dickins Sound: Allyson Purcell-Davis | 22m 58s | ||||||
| 8/14/26 | The President's Path: Trump and the AI data centre debate | Sumi Somaskanda, Bernd Debusmann and Courtney Subramanian discuss how AI data centres are becoming an important issue for voters ahead of the midterms. They look at concerns about the energy use and environmental impact of these facilities, and why the Trump administration sees them as key to competing with China. 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] | 16m 17s | ||||||
| 8/13/26 | The Media Show: James May's YouTube move | For years, YouTube was largely seen as the home of creators who built their audiences online. But increasingly it's becoming a destination for established TV presenters too. James May, best known for Top Gear and The Grand Tour, joins Katie Razzall alongside producer Lucy Brown to discuss building their YouTube channel, Planet Gin. Holly Graham, Chief Commercial Officer at Little Dot Studios, explains what it takes to build a successful YouTube brand and whether television success translates online.Last month, The Times' Chief Sports Reporter Martyn Ziegler revealed that FIFA president Gianni Infantino had been exploring plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. Martyn explains how he broke the story, while Tariq Panja, Global Sports Correspondent at The New York Times, discusses the growing role of investigative journalism in football.The resignation of University of Cambridge professor Jason Arday has become one of the biggest stories in British academia. Jack Grove, investigations editor at Times Higher Education, explains how he first uncovered concerns about Arday and why legal threats prevented publication at the time.Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Dan Hardoon Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai Researcher: Ruth Waites Technical Coordinator: Akik Rahman Sound: Robin Schroder | 22m 57s | ||||||
| 8/7/26 | The President's Path: Is Trump the AI president? | Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann discuss President Trump's efforts to balance AI innovation and regulation, the divisions within his cabinet over AI policy, and the challenges posed by China's rapid AI development. 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: James Kraft Editor: James Kraft Executive producer: Gareth Bebb | 15m 55s | ||||||
| 8/6/26 | The Media Show: Alternative Hollywood | More film studios are making films for audiences they believe are not well served by mainstream Hollywood. Many are aimed at Christian viewers or people with more traditional values, and some have become major box office successes. The trend reflects changes in how films are funded, promoted, and distributed to different audiences. Max Tani, Media Editor at Semafor, Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten, CEO of Wonder Project, and Brandon Purdie, Head of Theatrical and Brand Development at Angel Studios, outline different perspectives from across the industry. Prison radio is developing in different ways around the world, with stations giving prisoners the chance to learn broadcasting skills and share information inside prisons. Garth St Clair, co-founder of Rise Maximum Radio in Trinidad and Tobago, and Ninna Gaensler-Debs, co-director of Uncuffed in California, describe how prison broadcasting works in their organisations.Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Laura Cain | 22m 59s | ||||||
| 7/31/26 | The President's Path: Does Zelensky have the upper hand in the Ukraine war? | Caitríona Perry and Bernd Debusmann discuss President Zelensky's visit to Washington, where he pushed for greater US support to bolster Ukraine's air defences. They examine whether relations between Trump and Zelensky are warming, and what this renewed diplomatic effort, along with a new package of sanctions on Russia, could mean for the war in Ukraine.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] | 16m 28s | ||||||
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| 7/30/26 | The Media Show: Interviewing Elon Musk | The Economist's interview with Elon Musk attracted global attention before Musk then described interviewer Zanny Minton Beddoes as a "traitor to the West". The interview followed 90 minutes of conversation for The Insider, The Economist's video series. Zanny Minton Beddoes, Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, explains how the interview came about and the reaction after it was published.Huge wildfires in France and Spain have dominated news coverage across Europe, creating difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions for journalists reporting from the scene. Sadiya Chowdhury, Correspondent at Sky News, explains her approach and Mehdi Lebouachera, Global Director at AFP, gives the backstory to a photograph that appeared on front pages around the world.Presenters: Ros Atkins Producers: Lucy Wai and Dan Hardoon Researcher: Lizzie Harris Technical Coordinator: Mark Dickins Sound: Joe McCartney | 22m 58s | ||||||
| 7/24/26 | The President's Path: The US-Saudi nuclear deal | Sumi Somaskanda, Caitríona Perry and Bernd Debusmann discuss what we know about the US-Saudi Arabia nuclear deal, the implications for the fragile balance of power in the Middle East, and the fact that Israel could now make or break the agreement. 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] | 16m 40s | ||||||
| 7/23/26 | The Media Show: Can an AI actor win over Hollywood? | An AI-generated actor called Tilly Norwood has been cast in the lead role of a forthcoming film, adding to the debate about artificial intelligence in filmmaking. The announcement follows criticism from actors including Emily Blunt and objections from the US performers' union. Eline Van der Velden, founder and CEO of Particle6, explains why she created Tilly Norwood, while Jake Kanter, International Investigations Editor at Deadline, sets out the reaction from the film industry. Andy Burnham has become the UK's new Prime Minister, and his approach to the media is already attracting attention. His team has relied more on social media, online creators and direct communication than on traditional broadcast interviews. Lizzy Buchan, Political Editor of the Daily Mirror, Tom Nicholas, creator of the Slow News Day YouTube channel, and broadcaster Andrew Neil, presenter of The Andrew Neil Report, assess what this could mean for political journalism and public accountability.Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Content Producer: Lucy Wai Assistant Producer: Laura Cain Researcher: Ruth Waites Technical Coordinator: Samuel Iyiola Sound: Robin Schroder | 22m 58s | ||||||
| 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 | ||
| 6/19/26 | Unspun World: Winners and losers of the US-Iran agreement | John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines the new deal aimed at ending the war between the US and Iran, analyses Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union, and looks at the worsening situation for women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. | 26m 29s | ||||||
| 6/18/26 | The Media Show: Citizen journalists at protests - reporting or activism? | Following the sentencing of 13 people for violent disorder during protests in Southampton, attention has turned to the role of content creators who film demonstrations and public disorder. The judge cited the usefulness of footage filmed by so-called “citizen journalists”. Siddharth Venkataramakrishnan of the Institute for Strategic Dialogue and content creator Wesley Winter give their perspective on the issue. The BBC has begun setting out changes as part of plans to deliver significant savings across the organisation. The measures include the closure of several programmes across radio and current affairs output, alongside wider reductions in staffing. Jonathan Munro, Global Director of BBC News, outlines the changes. Norma Percy has spent years getting to the heart of some of the biggest moments in recent history. Her documentaries have been celebrated for talking directly to the people who made the decisions. As the BBC airs her latest film - about Brexit - she reflects on her storied career and the future of documentary making.Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producers: Lisa Jenkinson and Lucy Wai Researcher: Ruth Waites Technical Coordinator: Jack Sharp Sound: Rebecca Millar | 22m 58s | ||||||
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Chart history for The Explanation
Peaked at #4 in VN, top 10 in 1 of 43 tracked markets, currently #4 in VN.
| Market | Genre | Peak | Current | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VN | — | #4 | #4 | — |
| TH | — | #21 | #21 | — |
| PE | — | #24 | #24 | — |
| KE | — | #33 | #33 | — |
| South Africa | — | #34 | #34 | — |
| IS | — | #38 | #38 | — |
| TR | — | #40 | #40 | — |
| CO | — | #41 | #41 | — |
| TW | — | #42 | #42 | — |
| SA | — | #52 | #52 | — |
| RO | — | #54 | #54 | — |
| Spain | — | #55 | #55 | — |
| Japan | — | #55 | #55 | — |
| PH | — | #56 | #56 | — |
| South Korea | — | #57 | #57 | — |
| AR | — | #57 | #57 | — |
| United Kingdom | — | #61 | #61 | — |
| CL | — | #69 | #69 | — |
| Ireland | — | #75 | #75 | — |
| CH | — | #78 | #78 | — |
Chart Positions
43 placements across 42 markets.
Chart Positions
43 placements across 42 markets.