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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

A look at what the divisions in the Maga coalition mean for Trump.

On this episode Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann look at what the Maga coalition’s internal divides signal for Trump’s leadership.

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

Senior Producer: Oksana Kundirenko
Editor: Gareth Bebb
Executive Producer: Anna Holford

The President’s Path: Maga coalition cracks

A mass shooting at Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah event created major challenges for journalists trying to confirm fast-moving details. Newsrooms had to decide how to describe the attack, when to name suspects and how to treat unverified online posts. Jacqueline Maley, senior writer at the Sydney Morning Herald, explains the decisions behind early reporting and the influence of social media.
The UK government has begun a consultation on BBC charter renewal, which will shape the organisation from 2028. It raises questions about how the BBC is governed, how it supports producers across the UK and how it might be funded in the future. Options include subscription models, advertising and changes to licence fee income. Alex Farber, media correspondent at The Times, outlines what is being considered.
In Florida, Donald Trump has filed a defamation case against the BBC over an edited sequence in the Panorama documentary which triggered the resignation of the corporation’s Director General and its CEO of News. Stuart M Benjamin, professor of law at Duke University, sets out the legal issues.
Short, vertical micro dramas are becoming a major part of China’s entertainment industry, with revenues expected to exceed cinema box office figures. The format is spreading to other regions through low-cost, rapid production and app-based viewing. Mengchen Zhang from the BBC’s Global China Unit describes the trend in China, while Clare Thompson, non-executive director at K7 Media, outlines its international growth.

Presenters: Ros Atkins
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Content Producer: Lucy Wai
Production Coordinator: Ruth Waites

The Media Show: Reporting the Bondi beach attack

Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann look at how President Trump is tackling affordability and the cost of living for Americans.
 
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
 
Senior producer: Jack Surfleet
Editor: Gareth Bebb
Executive producer: Anna Holford

The President’s Path: Affordability

Netflix’s agreement to buy Warner Bros Discovery has triggered an immediate hostile counter-bid from Paramount, intensifying concerns within Hollywood about consolidation and streaming dominance. Natalie Jarvey, senior correspondent at The Ankler, and Dade Hayes, business editor at Deadline, assess why Warner Bros are in demand and what the takeover could mean for viewers.
Five broadcasters have now withdrawn from next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in protest at Israel’s participation. BBC Music reporter Mark Savage explains the latest developments.
Meta is reducing its investment in virtual-reality projects and directing greater resources into AI. The metaverse was once Mark Zuckerberg’s vision for the future of the company. Alex Hern, AI correspondent at The Economist, and Charlotte Henry, author of Streaming Wars, outline the implications.

Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Content Producer: Lucy Wai
Production Coordinator: Ruth Waites
Technical Coordinator: Chris Brown
Sound: Sarah Kimberley

The Media Show: Netflix’s Hollywood takeover drama

Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann look at how RFK Jr is shaping US health policy in President Trump’s second term.
 
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
 
Senior producer: Jack Surfleet
Editor: Gareth Bebb
Executive producer: Anna Holford

The President’s Path: The health of healthcare

The Mayor of Greater Manchester has accused vloggers of provoking vulnerable people to generate online views, with a particular focus on the city’s Piccadilly Gardens. Sarah Lester, editor of the Manchester Evening News, and Charlotte Dewar, chief executive of the Independent Press Standards Organisation, discuss the issues.

A new investigation suggests widespread use of illicit streaming devices and apps now threatens the financial viability of the Premier League’s TV deals. Adam Leventhal, senior writer at The Athletic, and Minal Modha, head of sport media rights at Ampere Analysis, assess the scale of the trend.

Netflix’s expanding interest in podcast-style formats has led them to sign a deal with Gary Lineker’s The Rest Is Football show. Nick Hilton, co-founder of Podot, explains why podcasts are becoming strategically important for the streamer.

Plus, Ian Hislop reflects on another year as editor of Private Eye, and discusses his magazine’s approach to journalism and satire.

Presenter: Ros Atkins
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Content producer: Lucy Wai
Sound engineer: Allyson Purcell-Davis
Production co-ordinator: Ruth Waites
Technical co-ordinator: Ozgur Cevik

The Media Show: Manchester’s YouTube problem

Caitríona Perry, Courtney Subramanian, and Sumi Somaskanda look at how US President Donald Trump is challenging the state of California, and how its governor, Gavin Newsom, is returning the favour.
 
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

The President’s Path: Trump v California

Pressure on the BBC has continued after a line about Donald Trump was removed from the Reith Lectures on legal advice. Dame Caroline Dineage, Chair of the Culture Media and Sport Committee, and Lionel Barber, Former Editor of The Financial Times discuss the implications. Also on the show, Dr Alice Enders of Enders Analysis explains why The Telegraph has been sold to the owners of the Daily Mail in a £500m deal. And CNN correspondent Donie O’Sullivan on his new documentary investigating why claims about white farmers in South Africa continue to circulate in US politics

Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Content producer: Lucy Wai
Production co-ordinator: Ruth Waites
Technical co-ordinator: Craig Johnson
Sound engineer: Robin Schroder

The Media Show: Another day, another BBC editing row?

Caitríona Perry, Courtney Subramanian, and Sumi Somaskanda look at how the Republicans and Democrats are using redistricting as a tool, and how it could affect the political geography of the US.
 
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: Gareth Bebb
Executive Producer: Anna Holford

The President’s Path: Redistricting

A new Netflix documentary captures Ed Sheeran performing live across New York in a single continuous take. Its executive producer, Ben Winston, reveals how the show – One Shot – was made, and discusses some of his company’s other TV hits including Carpool Karaoke.
Also on the show, as Donald Trump vows to take the BBC to court, where might the corporation go next as the crisis at the top continues. With Rosamund Urwin, Media Editor of The Sunday Times, Baroness Tina Stowell, Former Chair of the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee, Phil Riley of Boom Radio and Jordan Schwarzenberger of Arcade Media.

Presenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Assistant Producer: Martha Owen
Researcher: Ruth Waites
Technical Coordinator: Ozgur Cevik
Sound: Dafydd Evans

The Media Show: Ed Sheeran’s one-shot film

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines the new threats to peace and security on the 80th anniversary of the D-Day campaign to liberate Western Europe, asks why the African National Congress Party has failed to win a majority in the South African parliament after 30 years in power, and considers why immigration is a key issue in elections this year in many countries.

Unspun World: The new threats to global peace and security

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