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Artwork for Breaking the News

Breaking the News

BBC Radio Scotland
Donald Trump
Scotland
Labour Party
Keir Starmer
Rachel Reeves
Glasgow
Ukraine
Scottish National Party
Joe Biden
Edinburgh International Festival
Inheritance Tax
Comedy
Australia
Scottish Politics
Kamala Harris
UK Politics
US Presidential Election
Nicola Sturgeon
Brexit
Commonwealth Games

Topical comedy panel show takes a satirical view of the week's headlines.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes21Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryComedyNews

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Breaking the News

Latest Episodes

Des and the teams break up the biggest news of the week, including the latest with Sir Keir Starmer and Peter Mandelson, John Swinney declining a trip to the US, and a rise in 'granny cooking'.

Lead Writer: Elaine Malcolmson

Additional Material: Na... more

Des and the teams break up the week's big news, including: The first TV debate of the 2026 Holyrood Election, Donald Trump having a war of words with the Pope, an unusual job interview, the Hungarian election and more.

Lead Writer: Madeleine Bretti... more

Des and the teams break up the biggest news of the week, including developments in the Middle East, reaching the far side of the moon and paranormal activities.

Lead Writer: Claire Cox

Additional Material: Luke Richards, Jo Cunningham, Lee Jevon & ... more

Des and the teams break up the biggest news of the week, including the latest goings on with Calmac ferries, Easter treats and a new role for Sir Billy Connolly.

Lead Writer: Jennifer Walker

Additional Material: Stuart Campbell, Gordon Watson , Ali... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Marjolein Robertson
Panelist and comedian discussing economic issues
Episode: Best of Unbroadcast
Neil Delamere
Comedian and panelist on economic discussions
Episode: Best of Unbroadcast
Ignacio Lopez
Comedian providing humorous insights on economic impact
Episode: Best of Unbroadcast
Jamie MacDonald
Blind comedian and panelist discussing memoirs
Episode: Best of Unbroadcast
Duncan Murray
Lesser-known brother of Andy Murray, sharing thoughts on careers
Episode: Best of Unbroadcast
Felicity Ward
Comedian providing travel advice
Episode: Best of Unbroadcast
Josie Long
Comedian discussing small talk
Episode: Best of Unbroadcast
Jay Lafferty
Comedian and panelist on the show
Episode: Breaking the Euros

Host

Des Clarke
Host of a topical comedy panel show, skilled in engaging humor and sharing personal anecdotes while leading discussions on current events.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 392 ratings
  • Brilliant until today

    I love this podcast, great writing, great host, generally excellent guests with topical humour.

    I’d never previously heard of Kemah Bob, thanks to the show for alerting me to her, I could have made a horrendous mistake and bought a ticket to see her at the Edinburgh festival going in blind as I often do to find new comedians.

    There was absolutely nothing funny about her, she attempted a joke about Scottish island names which fell flat and was not close to even being humorous and then I thought ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Roger Over
    United Kingdom22 days ago
  • Its great

    Have listened to breaking the news for years. And never miss a episode

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Oaks White
    Irelanda month ago
  • Very funny

    A very fast-paced, witty news quiz that is consistently funny. Those of us who are not Scottish may, occasionally, struggle with accents or miss some of the jokes relating to Scottish politics and pop culture, but the accents get easier to follow with time, and even when topics relate specifically to Scotland, the jokes transcend the specificity. After all, corrupt or bungling politicians are everywhere, as are pompous, self-absorbed celebrities. Moreover, much of the program is about internati... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mikeyvama
    United States4 months ago
  • Always Excellent

    Absolutely Brilliant!

    Des is a fantastic host and always brings the best out of the panel.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MonicaR-K
    Ireland6 months ago
  • Brilliant

    Absolutely brilliant and a great way to keep up with what’s (in general) happening in a country I would otherwise have no link with.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Waz THE wonderful
    Belgiuma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the comedic yet insightful perspective on current events, often praising the humor's relatability and sharp wit.
Many find the show lively and engaging, with humorous commentary that makes news enjoyable and accessible.
Some listeners suggest that the humor can sometimes lean towards Scottish-specific topics that might not resonate universally, but many find the humor transcends local context.
The podcast is frequently noted for its balanced mix of male and female perspectives, contributing to its diversity and overall appeal.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#167
New Zealand/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#193
Singapore/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#208
Belgium/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Glasgow International Comedy Festival Special: Susie McCabe, Ignacio Lopez, Susan Riddell and Liam Withnail
Q: What are your own self-imposed spending rules?
I've deleted all the food apps from my phone because I go crazy when I'm hungry while shopping.
Glasgow International Comedy Festival Special: Susie McCabe, Ignacio Lopez, Susan Riddell and Liam Withnail
Q: What did you make of this so-called mishap?
It's concerning that important military discussions occur on easily accessible apps.
Chris Forbes, Tiff Stevenson, Chris Thorburn and Josie Long
Q: What do you think about this tactic? Is this the best way to deal with gulls?
It makes sense to bring in a larger bird like a falcon to scare away gulls; a clever solution to a gull problem.
Chris Forbes, Tiff Stevenson, Chris Thorburn and Josie Long
Q: What did you make of the diplomatic situation around Ukraine?
It's disgusting and deplorable; a lot was made of what President Trump didn't wear to the White House.
Susan Riddell, Marc Jennings, Diona Doherty and Liam Withnail
Q: Are you surprised the university has had to offer this guidance?
Liam expressed no surprise, sharing his own background as part of the working class and experiences at Edinburgh.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Breaking the News

What is Breaking the News about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A topical comedy panel showcases a humorous take on recent news stories and events, often featuring a blend of witty banter, personal anecdotes, and vibrant discussions among a diverse array of comedians. The comic panels explore a wide variety of topics, including politics, cultural happenings, and quirky social issues, while often incorporating satirical commentary on current events. Notable elements include the quick-paced comedic style and the ability to tackle serious subjects with levity, making for an engaging listen for fans of satire and humor alike.

Audiences are drawn to the light-hearted yet insightful perspective on the news, often appreciating the mix of familiarity with Scottish culture and broader international topics. The ... more

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How many listeners does Breaking the News get?

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How many subscribers and views does Breaking the News have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Breaking the News?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Breaking the News:

1. Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
2. Comedy of the Week
3. What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel
4. Strong Message Here
5. The Bugle

How many episodes of Breaking the News are there?

Breaking the News launched 9 years ago and published 21 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Breaking the News?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Breaking the News?

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What guests have appeared on Breaking the News?

Recent guests on Breaking the News include:

1. Marjolein Robertson
2. Neil Delamere
3. Ignacio Lopez
4. Jamie MacDonald
5. Duncan Murray
6. Felicity Ward
7. Josie Long
8. Jay Lafferty

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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