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Artwork for Front Row

Front Row

BBC Radio 4
Steve Mcqueen
Occupied City
Bianca Stigter
Amsterdam
Yoko Ono
Theatre
Double Feature
Film Industry
Jez Butterworth
Nazi Occupation
One Day
American Fiction
Mental Health
Gladiator
Rhiannon Giddens
Boarders
Me Too Movement
The Hills Of California
Declan Mckenna
Diane Oliver

Live magazine programme on the worlds of arts, literature, film, media and music

PublishesDailyEpisodes2001Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureArts

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Artwork for Front Row

Latest Episodes

Film producer Jason Solomons and literary journalist Suzi Feay join Tom Sutcliffe to discuss the contemporary thriller Lurker which shows what happens when the line between popstar and fan gets blurred.

They also talk about The Pelican Child a short... more

Actress June Squibb on her lead role in Scarlett Johansson's debut feature Eleanor the Great, in which a woman in her 90s moves back from Florida to Manhattan and forms a friendship with a young journalism student - the film explores themes of grief,... more

Tonight, the winner of the 2025 Turner Prize will be announced in Bradford, this year’s City of Culture. Joining Nick to discuss the runners and riders is arts journalist at the Yorkshire Post, Yvette Huddleston.

The death of the photographer Marti... more

Kate Winslet speaks to Samira Ahmed about her directorial debut, Goodbye June. With a screenplay written by her son Joe Anders, the film portrays complex family dynamics colliding with the surreal realities of palliative care.

With talks around a po... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

James L. Brooks
Oscar-winning director and producer known for iconic series and films.
The Simpsons
Episode: Reviewing Ella McCay plus the film's Oscar-winning writer and director James L. Brooks
Joy Williams
Acclaimed author known for her surreal and absurdist short stories.
Episode: Reviewing Ella McCay plus the film's Oscar-winning writer and director James L. Brooks
Yvette Huddleston
Yorkshire arts journalist
Episode: 2025 Turner Prize winner; remembering Martin Parr; Bradford’s year as the UK City of Culture
Stephen McCoy
Photographer currently displaying work at the Martin Parr Foundation
Episode: 2025 Turner Prize winner; remembering Martin Parr; Bradford’s year as the UK City of Culture
Heba Abd el Gawad
Senior Curator of Anthropology at London's Horniman Museum
Episode: 2025 Turner Prize winner; remembering Martin Parr; Bradford’s year as the UK City of Culture
Sebastian Conrad
Professor with extensive writing on Nefertiti
Episode: 2025 Turner Prize winner; remembering Martin Parr; Bradford’s year as the UK City of Culture
Kate Winslet
Acclaimed actress making her directorial debut with "Goodbye June".
Episode: Kate Winslet on Goodbye June
Gurinder Chadha
Filmmaker known for 'Bend It Like Beckham'
Episode: Updating A Christmas Carol; new sculpture exhibition by blind artists and curators; 2025’s funniest novel
Dannielle Rhimes Lecointe
Choreographer presenting a hip hop adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol'
Episode: Updating A Christmas Carol; new sculpture exhibition by blind artists and curators; 2025’s funniest novel

Hosts

Kirsty Wark
Host of Front Row and an established presenter noted for her insightful engagement with arts discussions.
Samira Ahmed
Host of Front Row, recognized for her eloquent exploration of cultural themes and critical dialogues.
Tom Sutcliffe
Host of Front Row with a reputation for thoughtful conversation and analysis of the arts.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 649 ratings
  • Front Row

    Love this podcast! Varied and up to date.

    All presenters very well prepared! ☺️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Izzyissi
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Let the guests speak

    It's got a good mix of guests on the show but some of the hosts are constantly interrupting the guests which is frustrating to listen to, they often can't finish a sentence without being interrupted by the host giving his answer to his own question. Despite this it's good to have a round up of new films & exhibitions.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Foxtrot Lightning
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Pretty impressive

    Despite a recent drift into the lowbrow with 80s pop nostalgia segments, this is a really useful and enjoyable listen. And the Friday review show takes me back to those happy years when Saturday Review was still being commissioned.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    MarkoB1111
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • An Insular Gaze: How Front Row Fails Global Art

    Listening to the BBC’s Front Row review One Hundred Years of Solitude felt like witnessing a masterpiece reduced to a quaint curiosity, as if they were marveling at a trinket from an exotic land rather than engaging with one of the most profound literary achievements of the 20th century. Their commentary was superficial, hesitant, and tinged with an old-school British arrogance that struggles to believe top-quality art can emerge from beyond its own borders. The tone resembled a diner approachin... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    David Theo
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Kirsty Wark is a poor appointment

    Kirsty Wark — seriously? This latest appointment reveals how little respect the BBC has for the arts. I’m so tired of BBC shows replacing people with serious expertise in their field with random “name” presenters. What does Wark know about the arts? Nothing, if her first shows are anything to go by — and it shows.

    For years we’ve had to put up Jim Naughtie presenting the sole Radio Four book programme as if covering literature is just a nice retirement job anyone can do after covering politic... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Radionoush
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

There is a warm reception for the engaging and informed nature of the hosts, who are often praised for their depth of knowledge and ability to navigate cultural discussions.
Some criticisms arise regarding the interaction style of hosts, with occasional mentions of interruptions during discussions that can detract from the guest's contributions.
Listeners appreciate the range of topics covered, which include various forms of arts, literature, and creative industries.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Reviewing Ella McCay plus the film's Oscar-winning writer and director James L. Brooks
Q: Is that your view?
Brooks clarifies that the cynical political view presented in the film is not reflective of his own beliefs.
Reviewing Ella McCay plus the film's Oscar-winning writer and director James L. Brooks
Q: What was it about Emma Mackey that made you think she's the right person?
James L. Brooks emphasizes that her audition made her a clear choice for the role, reflecting her deep connection to the character.
Sydney Sweeney and Pasolini
Q: How was the film 'Salò' viewed upon its release?
It was scandalous and almost immediately censored. Many countries didn't allow complete release until decades later.
Sydney Sweeney and Pasolini
Q: What was the emotional impact of reenacting Christie's life?
It was one of the most moving experiences, especially when Christie was present on set. People were crying when they saw her.
Sydney Sweeney and Pasolini
Q: How did you feel about the physical transformation for this role?
I worked with a weight trainer and a boxing coach, and they worked with me on nutrition training. I put on 35 pounds.

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 Front Row

What is Front Row about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Featuring a dynamic blend of discussions surrounding arts, literature, film, and music, this podcast captures the pulse of contemporary culture by reviewing significant artistic works and engaging with a diverse array of guests. Listeners can expect lively conversations that explore new releases in literature, insightful critiques of films, and deep dives into various media formats, all punctuated with the personal stories and experiences of influential figures from the arts. The program is unique in its balance of critique and creativity, often showcasing new perspectives that resonate with both casual listeners and aficionados alike.

Where can I find podcast stats for Front Row?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Front Row. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Front Row and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Front Row get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Front Row, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Front Row?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Front Row, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Front Row have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Front Row has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Front Row?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Front Row:

1. This Cultural Life
2. Bookclub
3. Private Passions
4. A Good Read
5. Great Lives

How many episodes of Front Row are there?

Front Row launched 20 years ago and published 2001 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 Front Row?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Front Row?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Front Row from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Front Row?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Front Row. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Front Row?

Recent guests on Front Row include:

1. James L. Brooks
2. Joy Williams
3. Yvette Huddleston
4. Stephen McCoy
5. Heba Abd el Gawad
6. Sebastian Conrad
7. Kate Winslet
8. Gurinder Chadha

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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