New weekly podcast from BBC Radio 4’s Today programme
Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson are to host a new weekly podcast from BBC Radio 4’s Today to continue the conversation after the programme comes off air.
The Today Podcast with Amol, Nick and their guests, will include their take on the big stories and give a behind-the-scenes insight into how the programme is made.
The new podcast is a part of the BBC’s strategy to grow BBC Sounds and increase digital listening, which recently saw huge growth with a record 216 million plays of on-demand radio and podcasts in the latest quarter.
Nick Robinson says: “I love presenting Today – a fast moving, agenda setting, daily news programme – but I can’t wait for the chance once a week to slow down, take a breath, kick off my shoes and reflect on what’s really happening in the world beyond the headlines, without ever needing to look at the clock and say ‘I’m sorry, that’s all we’ve got time for’.”
Amol Rajan says: “Well, this is exciting. I am a podcast fanatic. Recent years have shown there is massive global demand for the intellectually ambitious, deeply humane and mischievous conversation which podcasts can provide.
“Helpfully I like Nick a lot and respect his intellect. Everybody’s invited and there will be plenty of input from the Today community – and beyond.”
Owenna Griffiths, Editor, Today and Executive Producer, The Today Podcast says: “With Amol and Nick, the conversations we have about stories and ideas off air are as interesting and challenging as the interviews on the Today programme and I’m really excited this podcast will open up those conversations to our listeners.”
Mohit Bakaya, Director of Speech and Controller of Radio 4 and 4Extra, says: “The Today programme remains essential daily listening every morning for millions of listeners on BBC Radio 4.
“However, one often wants to go deeper on certain stories than time allows so I’m pleased that Nick and Amol can now get an opportunity to really get their teeth into the most important and often complex stories of the week, providing the insight, analysis and context one expects from Radio 4.”
The Today Podcast will be available first on BBC Sounds, each Thursday from 5 October, and will then air at 11pm that evening on Radio 4.