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Artwork for Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

Good Egg Productions
BBC
Public Service Broadcasting
Ofcom
GB News
Donald Trump
Impartiality
BBC World Service
Channel 4
Gaza
Israel
Media Bill
Funding Models
Public Service Media
ITV
Tim Davie
BBC Radio 4
IRA
Brexit
BBC Sounds
Samir Shah

Roger Bolton, formerly presenter of BBC Radio 4's 'Feedback' launches his very first podcast. Free from the constraints of broadcasting on the BBC, with a few more opinions and casting his net a little bit wider to encompass the whole of the BBC, Roger examines the issues that are facing the corporation and public service broadcasting.

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PublishesWeeklyEpisodes181Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

Latest Episodes

Iain Dale is one of Britain’s most familiar political voices – LBC presenter, publisher, columnist, and lifelong conservative – and now the author of a strikingly candid memoir, Have I Said Too Much? We discuss his journey from an Essex farm to the h... more

Lord Michael Grade – former controller of BBC One, chief executive of Channel 4, chairman of both the BBC and ITV, and most recently chair of Ofcom – reflects on what’s happening to Britain’s public service broadcasters as audiences splinter and the ... more

Prof Cathy Johnson, a leading expert on public service media who has advised Ofcom and contributed to numerous parliamentary select committees and government investigations, discusses the implications of the ITV–Sky deal for ITV, Channel 4, ITN and S... more

Jonathan Heawood, executive director of the Public Interest News Foundation and founder of Impress, discusses the rise of Manchester’s independent newsletter The Mill - widely praised for its coverage of Andy Burnham - and what it reveals about rebui... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Iain Dale
Author, broadcaster, political commentator
Self-employed / Various publisher roles
Episode: Iain Dale: Life, the BBC and Ann Widdecombe
Michael Grade
Lord Grade of Yarmouth, former chair of Ofcom and executive at ITV, Channel 4, and BBC
BBC/ITV/Channel 4 Ofcom
Episode: Michael Grade on GB News, the Future of Channel 4 and the BBC
Cathy Johnson
Professor at Leeds University
Leeds University
Episode: Prof Cathy Johnson on Who Wins and Loses from the ITV-Sky Deal and the New Media Green Paper
Jonathan Heawood
Executive Director, Public Interest News Foundation
Public Interest News Foundation
Episode: Jonathan Heawood: The Mill and the Fight to Save Local Journalism
Tom Loxley
Brand and editorial director, Radio Times
Radio Times
Episode: Tom Loxley on Radio Times’ Message to the BBC
John Shield
Former Director of Communications for the BBC (2013–2025)
BBC (former); Senior Managing Director at Teneo, Strategy and Communications Practice
Episode: John Shield: How to Stop the BBC Being Monstered
Professor Helen Wood
Professor at Aston University, special advisor to the 2019 DCMS Select Committee into Reality TV
Aston University
Episode: Professor Helen Wood: Behind the Scenes of Reality TV and Duty of Care
Rob Burley
Former BBC editor of live political programs; author of Why is This Lying Bastard Lying to Me?
UnHerd contributor, former BBC editor
Episode: Rob Burley on the BBC’s Culture Wars: Trans Coverage and Due Impartiality
Adam Bolton
Former political editor of Sky News; presenter on Times Radio
Times Radio; former Sky News
Episode: Adam Boulton on GB News, Due Impartiality and Navigating a Fractured Party System

Host

Roger Bolton
Host of Beeb Watch podcast; former BBC Radio 4 Feedback presenter; long-time BBC journalist and media commentator

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 136 ratings
  • Insightful

    Serious and very interesting

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jon2283
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Unsurprisingly very BBC biased

    The BBC is coming under a lot of fire from the constant accusations of left-wing bias. Endless arguments are proffered, but just take the Trump speech debacle as illustrative of the endemic bias within the BBC’s bubble—that complete misrepresentation of Trump’s speech, effectively demanding his followers to riot, was a complete falsehood—yet this gets called a simple mistake! Literally editing it in such a way as to invert what was actually said. This BeebWatch podcast skips over the bias... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Tarquin-BiscuitBarrel
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Hands off our BEEB

    Excellent coverage in all the misinformation and hype. It’s critical that the BBC resist what is ultimately a power grab. An excellent lawyer in Florida would be Michael Popok (Legal AF )

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RosaBilll8
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Great podcast

    One of the best.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    odysseus4729
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Wonderful to find Roger again

    Thank you The Times for telling me about Roger’s podcast

    Really looking forward to catching up with the sexiest voice on radio!

    Sue Newman

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sueexeter
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Feedback from listeners highlights a strong desire for diverse guest voices and accountability in public broadcasting.
Some reviews note sound level issues but praise the hosting and critical depth.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth, insider-style critique of BBC governance and impartiality.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#245
India/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Iain Dale: Life, the BBC and Ann Widdecombe
Q: How did your personal experiences shape your public life and your views on LGBTQ+ issues within the Conservative Party?
He reflects on coming out, his friendship with Ann Widdecombe, and the complexity of holding conservative beliefs while supporting LGBTQ+ rights. He discusses the evolution from private life to public roles and why being open about his past matters for social historians and listeners.
Iain Dale: Life, the BBC and Ann Widdecombe
Q: What prompted your involvement in politics and broadcasting, and how has your view of immigration and public discourse evolved?
Dale explains his early political virus and his shift from hard-line on immigration to a more socially liberal stance after engaging with people who had different experiences, including immigrants. He discusses how real conversations with diverse individuals changed his perspective and the value of hearing personal stories on air.
Iain Dale: Life, the BBC and Ann Widdecombe
Q: Do you care about the future of the BBC?
Yes, and the discussion touches on funding, direction, and the need for the BBC to decide its priorities for 2030 rather than drift. Dale expresses concern about how politics and budgets affect core public service broadcasting and questions whether news and current affairs should bear the brunt of cuts.
Michael Grade on GB News, the Future of Channel 4 and the BBC
Q: I mean, was it the view of the Conservative Party and was it your view that this start-up organization ought to be given an opportunity to try and succeed and therefore, regulation should be very lightly applied initially?
No, I wasn't involved in policy discussions; I advocate for freedom of expression within the law and regulations, and GB News has faced regulatory scrutiny like any other outlet, with Ofcom taking action where necessary.
Jonathan Heawood: The Mill and the Fight to Save Local Journalism
Q: Have you approached the BBC about funding or partnership, and what was their response?
They are undergoing a leadership transition and a charter review, but there is a sense that partnering with the BBC could help secure a better overall settlement if it demonstrates shared value for local and national journalism.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
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Frequently Asked Questions About Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

What is Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show focuses on critical assessments of public service broadcasting, with a sharp eye on editorial independence, funding, governance, and policy shaping the BBC and its peers. Episodes frequently feature veteran broadcasters, former BBC staff, regulators, and media scholars who dissect impartiality, charter reforms, and the impact of budget cuts on journalism, World Service coverage, and local news. The host tends to push for accountability and transparency, often challenging management decisions while inviting a spectrum of perspectives from reform advocates to seasoned critics. Fans tend to value in-depth analysis of media governance and the future of public broadcasting, and the show is likely to stand out for its candid tone, long-... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch:

1. The Media Show
2. Media Confidential
3. Insiders: The TV Podcast
4. The Fourcast
5. The News Agents

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Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch launched 4 years ago and published 181 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch?

Recent guests on Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch include:

1. Iain Dale
2. Michael Grade
3. Cathy Johnson
4. Jonathan Heawood
5. Tom Loxley
6. John Shield
7. Professor Helen Wood
8. Rob Burley

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