Global has commissioned a new narrative podcast about the infected blood scandal, hosted by acclaimed journalist and broadcaster Emily Maitlis.
The series, which was announced at Global’s first-ever Audio & Entertainment Upfronts yesterday, will investigate one of the most devastating man-made health disasters in modern British history.
The show will explore how thousands of people, including children and haemophiliacs, were unknowingly exposed to deadly diseases through contaminated blood products imported from abroad and inadequately tested.
Some patients were even deliberately infected by doctors to study disease progression. The scandal, long hidden from public view, continues to claim lives at a rate of one every four days.
Emily Maitlis, who also co-hosts the award-winning daily news podcast The News Agents, said: “The infected blood scandal remains one of the greatest injustices of our time. I hope this podcast will give the victims the recognition and platform they have long been denied.”
Produced by Global Studios, the podcast will be released in Spring 2026 on Global Player and all major podcast platforms. The series will give voice to victims and their families while exposing decades of systemic failure and neglect.
Vicky Etchells, Director of Podcasts at Global, said: “Echoing the Post Office scandal in scale and injustice, the contaminated blood disaster is one of the gravest institutional failures in modern British history.
“We are proud to bring this series to listeners as a Global Original podcast. Emily Maitlis’ fearless journalism will shine a light on a tragedy that has been overlooked for far too long.”
