Feedback

With listeners concerned about cuts to BBC radio drama and asking if it's still a priority for Radio 4, a former head of BBC Radio Drama tells Roger Bolton she shares those concerns. And the Editor of The Reunion discusses the usually acclaimed programme and replies to criticism of an edition about Romanian orphanages, which one listener describes as, “flaunting of British superiority”. And can yo...

The Editor of Woman’s Hour, Karen Dalziel, talks about how her new presenters are bedding into the long-running programme which celebrates its 75th birthday this year. She also discusses the decision to extend the programme to a whole hour at the expense of the daily 15 minute drama. One of the BBC’s journalists gives an insight into reporting from India as the pandemic overwhelms the country’s he...

BBC Radio 1 has launched a new streaming service called Relax, Roger Bolton hears the views of listeners and asks the Head of Radio 1, Aled Haydn Jones, whether it really is public service broadcasting, and how he can afford it. Aled also talks about presenter changes at Radio 1, and how they have been reaching out to young DJs around the country. And two listeners review a World Service programme...

Roger Bolton hears more views from listeners about the BBC's coverage of the death of HRH the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Does Danny Robins, the writer and producer of the Radio 4 programme and podcast The Battersea Poltergeist, believe that ghosts exist? And did making his programme change his mind? And two drama students review Radio 4’s Front Row. Would they recommend it to their college...

Criticism levelled at the BBC for the programme changes made in the aftermath of the death of HRH the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, is unprecedented. Roger Bolton hears the views of listeners and asks if the corporation got its response badly wrong. Also, the Reverend Richard Coles talks about religion on the radio, and two young listeners discuss a controversial Radio 4 play about sexual cons...

Why does Saturday Live’s the Reverend Richard Coles insist on using his title when he presents non-religious programmes? That’s one of the questions put to the former pop star and polymath by Roger Bolton. What does the BBC’s Annual Plan tell listeners about the future of radio? Roger Mosey the former Editorial Director of the BBC gives his view. And in Out of your Comfort Zone, two amateur review...

The Controller of Radio 3 Alan Davey answers listeners’ questions - including why the music of Justin Bieber is being played on a radio station better known as the home of classical music on the BBC. He also explains why a much loved presenter Ian Skelly is going from his morning slot to the afternoon, and talks about Radio 3's move to Salford and whether it will affect the station’s output. And d...

As politicians, doctors and scientists fought to bring Covid under control, the BBC’s Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg was trying to find out what was really going on in Downing Street, Whitehall and in Parliament. She explains to Roger Bolton the difficulties she has encountered covering this unique story over the past year. And the actor and director Martin Jarvis talks about radio drama, and s...

Are you a mood mum? Do you even know what that means? You can find out as Roger Bolton explores why Radio 2 is so keen on attracting listeners from this new demographic. But is the station in danger of driving away older listeners as a result? Martin Jarvis has just directed a controversial new Radio 4 play by the celebrated American playwright David Mamet. He discusses the play and responds to li...

There has been almost blanket media coverage of the extraordinary interview given by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Oprah Winfrey. One of the people charged with bringing this story to BBC radio is the Royal Correspondent Jonny Dymond, He responds to listeners’ questions and talks to Roger Bolton about the difficulties in reporting the story. Fascism is alive and kicking in Britain today. That'...

Melvyn Bragg came up with the idea of the long-running Radio 4 programme In our Time back in 1998 and, 900 editions later, is still at the helm. He answers listeners’ questions and explains how he thought it would only last six months at best. Peter White has gone much further back in time for his series Disability: A New History recently re-broadcast on Radio 4. Listeners have found it revelatory...

The BBC‘s Deputy Director of News faces questions from listeners about the Corporation’s Covid coverage. Jonathan Munro hears concerns that his journalists are not tough enough on the Government, and are neglecting other vital stories. And two young politics graduates who never switch on Radio 4, are exposed to the News Quiz. Did it raise a smile? Presenter: Roger Bolton Producer: Kate Dixon Execu...

How is Emma Barnett settling in as the main presenter of Woman’s Hour? Is she turning the programme into a radio version of Newsnight? In the first edition of a new series of Feedback listeners give their contrasting views. Also this week, the departing newsreaders Corrie Corfield and Neil Sleat confess their broadcasting sins, including accidentally taking Radio 4 off air. And two young politics...

After almost half a century, I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue is still the most popular radio comedy, according to a poll of Radio Times readers. The producer of the series for nearly 30 years is Jon Naismith. He gives insights into the show and explains that it nearly didn’t survive the pilot. Equally loved by radio listeners is the Christmas Eve broadcast from Kings College Chapel, Cambridge. Producer...

Just as Woman’s Hour listeners were getting used to the idea of losing long-standing presenter Dame Jenni Murray, there came the news that another favourite, Jane Garvey, was also heading for the exit. So what is going on at one of Radio 4’s staple programmes? Jane joins Roger Bolton to talk about the reasons for her departure, and what is next on her agenda. And do we need to question the genius...

What is the truth about the White Helmets who rescue bomb victims in Syria, and was one of their leaders, a former British soldier, murdered, or did he commit suicide? The presenter and producer of the Radio 4 podcast series Mayday answers listeners’ questions. And the BBC’s daily consumer programme You and Yours is 50 years old. The editor explains to Roger Bolton how, after half a century on air...

Is the Archers back to its best? After a torrid time under lockdown restrictions, the drama is nearly back to its pre-Covid level of production. Currently it has a powerful storyline with Alice Carter’s alcoholism and pregnancy producing compelling radio. Has it been enough to lure back some once regular listeners? As she clocks up 25 years presenting Today in Parliament, Susan Hulme takes Feedbac...

Should BBC journalists come off the fence and campaign over climate change? That's one of the questions raised by Feedback listeners and put to Justin Rowlatt, the corporation’s chief environment correspondent. Was the Radio 4 series The Unknown Warrior too misty eyed, and insufficiently indignant about the way lions were led by donkeys into the slaughter of the Somme? And our Out Of Your Comfort...

BBC radio listeners are expressing their concerns about the cuts to BBC News and the departure of several senior correspondents. Roger Bolton discusses their reaction with a former editor of the Today programme. Roger Mosey who was also a former editorial director with the corporation gives his thoughts on this and cuts to local radio, which means there will be fewer reporters in the regions. The...

Veteran broadcaster Mark Mardell has just left the Corporation. He said goodbye to listeners of the World at One and The World This Weekend and now feels free to speak his mind. He tells Roger Bolton about his concerns over the reporting of Donald Trump and his supporters. He also explains why he believes cuts in the numbers of BBC reporters threatens to damage its journalism, and discusses the ne...

Roger asks the BBC’s North America editor Jon Sopel how he attempts to set his own agenda and remain impartial in one of the most divisive US elections of all time. And who is his Americast podcast aimed at? Also this week two British Asian listeners will cast a critical ear over the Asian network. Is it for them? Presenter: Roger Bolton Producer: Kate Dixon Executive Producer: A Juniper Connect p...

There is to be a new chairman of the BBC, and several high profile figures have been linked with the position. In Feedback this week Roger attempts to try and find out how much power the new chairman will have, and whether he or she will be accountable in any way to the licence-fee payer. Journalist and broadcaster Anne McElvoy talks about her attempts to get political opponents to actually listen...

The BBC’s Medical Editor is once more reporting from the Covid front line. Roger Bolton asks Fergus Walsh what lessons he has learned from covering the first wave. What is code switching? The BBC Radio 4 programme of that name raised some questions from Feedback listeners, Roger asks a linguistics academic to explain. And Nancy Sinatra puts on her boots again. Did she walk all over our listener re...

An in-depth interview with the Controller of Radio 4, Mohit Bakaya. He has been in charge of Radio 4, Radio 4 Extra and Radio 4 podcasts for almost a year, and before that had been a commissioning editor at the network since 2008. He responds to listeners’ questions about The Archers, Desert Island Discs, Woman’s Hour, coronavirus coverage and his plans for the future. Presenter: Roger Bolton Prod...

The BBC’s head of statistics discusses the reliability of figures broadcast for coronavirus infections and deaths. Was the Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini a suitable subject for Radio 4’s Great Lives series? The programme’s presenter Matthew Parris defends the decision. And two amateur reviewers give their verdict on an episode of Woman’s Hour. Presenter: Roger Bolton Producer: Kate Dixon...