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BBC World Service

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.

The Explanation

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses why Russia is so keen to capture the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, explores how difficult it will be to rebuild Gaza, and looks at how quantum computing could change the way we solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. 

Producer: Kate Cornell 
Executive producer: Benedick Watt 
Commissioning editor: Vara Szajkowski

Unspun World: Are Russian forces on the brink of seizing Pokrovsk?

A day of turmoil for the BBC as Director General Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness both resign, following a leaked memo alleging editorial bias and raising concerns over decision-making and governance. The Media Show is joined by a panel of insiders and commentators to assess where the BBC goes next. With former BBC communications chief John Shield, former BBC News executive Jamie Angus, journalist Jane Martinson, columnist Tim Montgomerie and Tina Brown, former editor of Vanity Fair.

Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Assistant producer: Martha Owen
Production co-ordinator: Ruth Waites
Technical co-ordinator: James Cherry
Sound engineer: Mike Campbell

The Media Show: Trump’s billion-dollar BBC threat

How Republicans and Democrats fared in this year’s elections, and what it could mean for the midterms next year.
 
On this episode, Caitríona Perry, Courtney Subramanian and Sumi Somaskanda look at the success of Zorhan Mamdani, Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill in the 2025 elections, and what it could mean for the future of the Democrats and Republicans in the midterms.
 
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
 
Producer: Jack Surfleet
Editor: Silvia Costeloe
Executive Producer: Anna Holford

The President’s Path: Elections fallout

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores war-weariness in Russia and the problem it poses for the Kremlin, examines the government shutdown in the United States, and analyses whether there will be any effective action from the upcoming climate conference in Brazil.

Producer: Kate Cornell
Executive Producer: Benedick Watt
Commissioning Editor: Vara Szajkowski

Unspun World: War-weariness in Russia

Andy Wilman is the producer who turned Top Gear and The Grand Tour into global hits. As he publishes his autobiography - Mr Wilman’s Motoring Adventure – he reflects on his career and working with the famous trio of Clarkson, Hammond and May.
Mishal Husain has left the BBC after twenty-six years to start a new chapter at Bloomberg. She talks about her time on major stories and how moving to a new newsroom has changed her work.
As Celebrity Traitors reaches its finale in the UK, the show’s executive producer, Mike Cotton, reveals what goes on behind the scenes and how he’s keeping the result a secret.

Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai
Production Coordinator: Lois Wheeler
Technical Coordinator: Ozgur Cevik
Sound: Chris Ablakwa

The Media Show: Lessons from Top Gear

The first big elections of Trump’s second term reveal how Americans are reacting to his presidency, and how Democrats are fighting to rebuild their brand.
 
On this episode, Caitríona Perry, Courtney Subramanian and Sumi Somaskanda discuss the high-stakes gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, the Democrats’ rebranding efforts, and the rise of a progressive candidate shaking up New York. 
 
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
 
Producer: Gregory Zhygalov
Editor: Adrian Chiculita
Executive producer: Anna Holford

The President’s Path: Electoral battlegrounds 2025

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses President Trump’s approach to dealing with China, examines the United States’ rivalry with China in south-east Asia, and explores what the future holds for Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government. 

Producer: Kate Cornell
Executive producer: Benedick Watt
Commissioning editor: Vara Szajkowski

Unspun World: Donald Trump’s China strategy

A row over comments by a British MP has reignited debate about who we see in adverts. Sara Denby from the University of Oxford and Dino Myers-Lamptey from The Barber Shop agency share their views on how the industry has changed.
In the US, major streaming companies are merging as they compete for global audiences. Camilla Lewis, Chief Executive of Curve Media, explains what this could mean for both producers and viewers.
Historian Bettany Hughes returns with Treasures of the World on Channel 4. She talks about filming around the globe, how history programmes are made today, and why stories from the past still attract big audiences.

Presenter: Katie Razzall
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Assistant producer: Lucy Wai
Production co-ordinator: Phil Hawkins
Technical co-ordinator: Samuel Iyiola
Sound engineer: Sarlota Hadroj Touzimska

The Media Show: Advertising race row

Demolition work has begun on part of the White House to make way for President Trump's new ballroom, as US government remains shut down.
 
On this episode, Caitríona Perry, Courtney Subramanian, and Sumi Somaskanda discuss Trump’s decision to remodel the White House while the Senate remains deadlocked on funding the federal government.
 
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
 
Producer: Gregory Zhygalov
Editor: Adrian Chiculita
Executive producer: Anna Holford

The President’s Path: Shutdown and teardown

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses whether Hamas will lay down its weapons in Gaza, looks at how other jihadist groups have responded to the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and explores how Ukraine’s approach to the war with Russia might change in the wake of the latest row with President Trump. 

Producer: Kate Cornell 
Executive producer: Benedick Watt 
Commissioning editor: Vara Szajkowski

Unspun World: Will Hamas really give up control of Gaza?

Decca Aitkenhead is the Chief Interviewer of The Sunday Times and has interviewed countless big names, from Hillary Clinton to Madonna. As she wins yet another award for her writing, she reveals how she does it – and why body language is the key to getting the rich and famous to say things they might later regret. 
 
Also in the programme, we meet the creators of two TV formats that have been sold around the world. And can you teach creativity? The creative genius behind some of the world’s most celebrated adverts says you can. 
 
Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins 
 
Guests: Decca Aitkenhead, Chief Interviewer, The Sunday Times; Matt Bennett, Senior Executive Producer, Shine TV; Dean Nabarro, Co-founder, Magnum Media; Sir John Hegarty, Advertising Executive, The Garage Soho.

The Media Show: Secrets of the Celebrity Interview

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