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The British Broadcasting Century with Paul Kerensa

Paul Kerensa
BBC
Election Night Specials
Gendered Programming
Radio Broadcasting
History Of Broadcasting
Dr. James Ebenezer Boon
Savoy Hill
Women's Hour
General Election
Marconi House
Cecil Lewis
Domesticity
Religious Broadcasting
Doctor Who
BBC Pips
Ella Fitzgerald
Janet Quigley
Shadow Of the New Deal
Radio's Legacy In Popular Culture
Radiophilia

100 Years of the BBC, Radio and Life as We Know It. Be informed, educated and entertained by the amazing true story of radio’s forgotten pioneers. With host Paul Kerensa, great guests and rare archive from broadcasting’s golden era. Original music by Will Farmer. www.paulkerensa.com/oldradio

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes100Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureDocumentaryHistory

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Artwork for The British Broadcasting Century

Latest Episodes

100 years ago from this podcast's release, the BBC broadcast the first known radio scare - 12 years before Orson Welles's famous War of the Worlds, and possibly inspiring it.

It was hoax - although arguably it's only a hoax if the hoaxer intends to ... more

On Christmas Eve 1922, Britain's first original radio drama The Truth About Father Christmas by Phyllis Twigg was broadcast on the early BBC.

On Christmas Eve 2025, Britain's latest radio drama The Truth About Phyllis Twigg is broadcast on BBC Radio... more

As this podcast lands, it's 75 years to the day since the first 'God slot' on the BBC Light Programme. It was first called Five to Ten, and is now Pause for Thought on BBC Radio 2.

Podcast host Paul has been Pausing for Thought for over a decade, wi... more

In October 1923, first BBC General Manager John Reith wrote to both 10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace, inviting the Prime Minister and the King to broadcast on the near year-old BBC. Both refused.

In November 2025, 17th BBC Director General Ti... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. A Brad Schwartz
Author of Broadcast Hysteria, Orson Welles's War of the Worlds and the Art of Fake News
Episode: #112 The First Radio Hoax: Broadcasting the Barricades - A Centenary Re-enactment
Tamsin Greig
Acclaimed actress known for her roles in British television and theatre.
Episode: #111 The Truth About The Truth About Phyllis Twigg: From the First Radio Drama to the Latest
Rory Kinnear
Renowned stage and screen actor from the BBC.
Episode: #111 The Truth About The Truth About Phyllis Twigg: From the First Radio Drama to the Latest
Aja Dodd
Newcomer actress portraying Jenny, a character in modern timeline.
Episode: #111 The Truth About The Truth About Phyllis Twigg: From the First Radio Drama to the Latest
Carina Saner
Great-granddaughter of Phyllis Twigg, involved in biographical research.
Episode: #111 The Truth About The Truth About Phyllis Twigg: From the First Radio Drama to the Latest
Nick Heal
Grandson of Arthur Burrows, engaging in the podcast to share family history.
Episode: #111 The Truth About The Truth About Phyllis Twigg: From the First Radio Drama to the Latest
Philippa Heal
Great-granddaughter of Arthur Burrows involved in podcast discussions.
Episode: #111 The Truth About The Truth About Phyllis Twigg: From the First Radio Drama to the Latest
Dr. Tom Mills
Sociologist at Aston University and author
Aston University
Episode: #109 Reith to Davie: 17 BBC Directors General - with Dr Tom Mills
James Cary
Comedy writer known for Bluestone 42 and Miranda
BBC
Episode: #107 On-Air Criticisms, James Cary and Miranda Hart

Host

Paul Kerensa
Host with a background in comedy and media, bringing humor and engaging storytelling to the subject of broadcasting history.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 81 ratings
  • The British Broadcasting Century

    This is a first class education and a fascinating listen. Highly recommended. This podcast must surely be the most comprehensive and detailed history of the BBC. It would make a fascinating book too.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    vortex1969
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • The British Broadcasting Century

    This is a first class education and a fascinating listen. Highly recommended.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    vortex1969
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • The British Broadcasting Century

    Paul told me to write this review but I would have been up for affirming how great this podcast is anyway. A reminder of what we will lose if the ignorant succeed in blowing up the BBC in the battle of culture clash- I’m not panning progress, just saying that Paul proves that new media is a parody of true life-enhancing culture, not the real thing.

    Now Beeb, let’s get started on your improvements…

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sdhhehhdhejj
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Very cool

    Hadn’t really planned on trying to learn this much about the Beeb but it’s well done and in depth. Bery enjoyable.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    YouKnowHowWeDo
    United States4 years ago
  • Outstanding!

    I’ve been thoroughly enjoying this podcast so far - really fascinating for anyone even remotely interested in the history of radio. It’s excellently produced and very accessible, and Paul Kerensa is a wonderfully entertaining host!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    m@xl@ng
    United Kingdom4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the podcast for its educational and entertaining approach to broadcasting history.
Many reviews underscore the depth of research behind the episodes, providing unique insights into broadcasting's evolution.
The podcast is continuously recommended for media enthusiasts, with several listeners expressing enjoyment even if they initially had no prior interest in the topics covered.
The host is praised for his engaging storytelling and humor, making complex subjects accessible and enjoyable.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#107 On-Air Criticisms, James Cary and Miranda Hart
Q: If you were director general of the BBC, what would you do?
I would make less television. I wouldn't bother with daytime television since the commercial sector does all of that perfectly fine. I would focus on doing less but doing it better.
#106 6BM Bournemouth: The End of the Beginning at the BBC... and James Cridland
Q: How are you listening to audio and radio?
James primarily uses DAB and smart speakers to listen to audio and radio.
#105 2BD Aberdeen and R.E. Jeffrey: From First Gaelic Broadcast to First Sci-Fi
Q: What got you interested in researching local radio, particularly in Scotland?
Dr. Kocic explains that his personal experience of moving to Scotland and finding the absence of local BBC stations prompted him to delve into the issue.
#094 Wireless Manhunts on the BBC - in 1923 and 2023
Q: How did listeners perceive their interaction with the early broadcasters?
Listeners believed they were engaging interactively with the broadcasters through contests, requests, and letter writing, creating a personal connection, even if not every letter was responded to.
#093 On-Air Symphonies and 'Seeing By Wireless' in June 1923 - and Stuart Prebble
Q: What were some of the challenges you faced during your career?
Stuart discussed various challenges including class prejudice within the BBC and the complexities involved in moving from production to an executive role at ITV.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The British Broadcasting Century

What is The British Broadcasting Century about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content is centered around the history of British broadcasting, particularly focusing on the BBC and notable milestones over the past century. Episodes explore various aspects of early radio, influential figures in the industry, technological developments, and the societal impact of broadcasting. The host brings humor and engaging storytelling to the subject, featuring interviews with guests who share insights and anecdotes from their own experiences in media and entertainment. Unique elements include dramatizations of historical broadcasts and a rich exploration of archive materials, making the content both informative and entertaining for a broad audience.

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1. Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast
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5. The Rest Is History

How many episodes of The British Broadcasting Century are there?

The British Broadcasting Century launched 6 years ago and published 100 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 The British Broadcasting Century?

Recent guests on The British Broadcasting Century include:

1. Dr. A Brad Schwartz
2. Tamsin Greig
3. Rory Kinnear
4. Aja Dodd
5. Carina Saner
6. Nick Heal
7. Philippa Heal
8. Dr. Tom Mills

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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