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Artwork for This Is Why

This Is Why

Sky News
Donald Trump
Ukraine
Russia
Jeffrey Epstein
Labour Party
United Kingdom
Keir Starmer
United States
Immigration
NATO
NHS
China
Prince Andrew
Gaza
Sky News
UK Budget
Iran
Conservative Party
Peter Mandelson
Israel

The world’s a pretty confusing place right now – so how do you make sense of it all? This Is Why takes one story every day, explains how we got here and why it matters to you. Sky News’ Niall Paterson speaks to experts and correspondents from around the world, getting simple answers to some complex questions. Available every weekday afternoon. This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a ques... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes2236Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsNews CommentaryDaily News

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Artwork for This Is Why

Latest Episodes

The riots which brought mass disorder to the streets of Belfast on Tuesday night weren’t just a reaction to a brutal stabbing in the city the night before.

According to Professor Ian Acheson, they were also an expression of the rage and anger felt b... more

Swindon. The epicentre of the global drone industry? As unlikely as it might seem, the Wiltshire town could soon be just that.

But instead of taking advantage of the cutting-edge weaponry being developed in the area, the UK is falling behind in the... more

After Israel launched strikes on Iran for the first time since April – against US wishes – are the cracks beginning to show between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu?

The episode is another sign of the growing friction between the US and Israeli l... more

The idea of two princesses living in luxury while the King pays their rent may have seemed normal in days gone by – but surely not in 2026.

Beatrice and Eugenie, the daughters of former prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, have been enjoying that very ... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Sean Bell
Sky's defence analyst
Sky News
Episode: Why defence delays are dangerous for the UK
Mickey Carroll
Sky's science and technology correspondent
Sky News
Episode: Why Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin could be a problem for NASA
Beckie Ramsay
Campaigner focused on water safety and Dylan's story
Doing it for Dylan (water safety campaign)
Episode: Why don't we know more about cold water shock?
Giselle Pellico
rape survivor and campaigner
Episode: Why did teenage rapists avoid jail?
Andy McIver
Political strategist
Independent political adviser
Episode: Why Westminster needs to think differently about devolution
David McCann
Host of Stormont sources
Stormont/NI Assembly
Episode: Why Westminster needs to think differently about devolution
Michael Keating
Emeritus Professor of Politics
University of Aberdeen
Episode: Why Westminster needs to think differently about devolution
Thomas Tuchel
Football manager previewed as England's head coach
Chelsea, PSG, Bayern Munich (past clubs)
Episode: Why did Thomas Tuchel leave out some big England names?
Tom Keatinge
Founder Director of the Centre for Finance and Security at Rousseau
Centre for Finance and Security at Rousseau
Episode: Why is the UK easing Russian oil sanctions?

Host

Niall Paterson
Host associated with Sky News, commonly steering political and current affairs discussions.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 956 ratings
  • Poor Journalism

    I have been a listener to “Trump 100” ever since it started. It is a great podcast giving a professional, balanced analysis.

    On today’s edition of Trump 100 there was an advert for “This Is Why”, so I thought I would give it a go.

    The first edition I listened to this morning was

    “Why your fake fashion is funding organised crime”.

    Unfortunately I was very very unhappy about the quality of the journalism in this podcast.

    It focussed entirely on the potential for knock off product revenues to... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Diysteve345
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • One it was great and based, justened to the danish iv good god go woe

    Podcast Addict
    2
    Ogetsch
    7 months ago
  • Great Pod

    I love this pod. Great content. Great length. You need to get Niall Paterson back on the telly. One of the best presenters Sky News has

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ardwark
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Thatcher

    Thatchers legacy is tainted, The Belgrano, The Miners Strike she wanted, Orgreave, Hillsborough, Savilles knighthood, Right to buy, privatisation, the UK is a mess of her making. Evil.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WillyWonks66
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Great podcast

    My go to podcast when driving - Niall is an amazing presenter, keeps the podcast interesting!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ann.AO
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

Sound quality has been a recurring complaint in some episodes.
Many listeners find it a reliable, concise daily briefing on politics and policy.
Listeners appreciate the host's balanced, thorough approach and clear explanations.
Guests and topics are diverse, with strong analysis from experts but occasional criticisms of perceived bias.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#174
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#15
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#57
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#97
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#66
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#85
Italy/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why did teenage rapists avoid jail?
Q: Why is there concern about the balance between rehabilitation and punishment in this case?
Critics argue that focusing too much on rehabilitation risks downplaying the harm to the victims and may undermine deterrence, potentially discouraging reporting and confidence in the justice system.
Why did teenage rapists avoid jail?
Q: What did the government white paper propose regarding youth custody and rehabilitation?
The white paper aims to reduce custodial sentences for the most serious crimes while prioritizing early intervention, prevention, and rehabilitation to stop reoffending, with a broader push to replace some youth custody with more rehabilitative measures and parenting orders.
Why Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin could be a problem for NASA
Q: What exactly happened during the New Glenn firing test and why was it so significant?
The firing test involved engine activity on a fully fueled vehicle, which explains the massive explosion; it was a high-stakes demonstration tied to Blue Origin's plans to deliver heavy cargo and enable lunar and orbital missions, making the setback especially consequential.
Why Russia is ‘relentlessly targeting’ the UK
Q: How have cyber capabilities evolved since 2016?
The UK and US governments acknowledged offensive cyber capacities to deter adversaries, while maintaining plausible deniability about specific operations.
Why Russia is ‘relentlessly targeting’ the UK
Q: Why is Britain targeted more than other European countries?
Britain is perceived as relatively isolated from some partners and central to Western intelligence networks, making it a valuable target for undermining democracy and disrupting critical infrastructure.

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 This Is Why

What is This Is Why about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This daily geopolitical and policy briefing sheds light on one timely story per episode, explaining how it developed and why it matters. With expert guests and Sky News correspondents, the show translates complex events into practical context for decision-makers and informed listeners. It consistently covers politics, international relations, security, and economy through a concise, analytic lens, often featuring former officials, diplomats, and seasoned journalists. A standout trait is its mix of on-the-ground reporting, policy analysis, and careful consideration of multiple perspectives, making it helpful for audiences who want a clear understanding of current events and their real-world implications.

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Which podcasts are similar to This Is Why?

These podcasts share a similar audience with This Is Why:

1. TRUMP100
2. Politics At Sam and Anne's
3. Cheat Sheet with Ridge & Frost
4. Electoral Dysfunction
5. The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim

How many episodes of This Is Why are there?

This Is Why launched 12 years ago and published 2236 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 This Is Why?

Recent guests on This Is Why include:

1. Sean Bell
2. Mickey Carroll
3. Beckie Ramsay
4. Giselle Pellico
5. Andy McIver
6. David McCann
7. Michael Keating
8. Thomas Tuchel

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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