Rephonic
Artwork for The British Broadcasting Century

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
Doctor Who
Religious Broadcasting
BBC Pips
Ella Fitzgerald
Janet Quigley
Radio's Legacy In Popular Culture
Shadow Of the New Deal
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
DocumentaryHistorySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The British Broadcasting Century

Latest Episodes

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

On 12 November 1925, the BBC broadcast one of its most bizarre programmes yet:

'MASS TELEPATHY: An Experiment in Thought Reading in which every Listener will be invited to assist'

On 12 November 2025, we present a dramatic re-enactment, based on ne... more

October 1923: The BBC's on-air critics go national...

These aren't critics OF the BBC (there were - and are - plenty of those), but critics ON the BBC - a literary critic, a music critic, a drama critic, a film critic... Think Front Row, Barry Norma... more

"6BM Bournemouth sends hearty greetings to the world... We do hope you can smell the pines!"

 

On 17 October 1923 (oh and look at the date this podcast landed - 102 years apart), the BBC opened its eighth station: 6BM Bournemouth.

 

It was the last o... 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.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

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
Miranda Hart
Actress and comedian, known for her sitcom Miranda
BBC
Episode: #107 On-Air Criticisms, James Cary and Miranda Hart
James Cridland
Radio futurologist, editor of Podnews, and host of a daily podcast newsletter.
Podnews
Episode: #106 6BM Bournemouth: The End of the Beginning at the BBC... and James Cridland
Gordon Bathgate
Author of Aberdeen Calling, 100 Years of the BBC in Aberdeen
Episode: #105 2BD Aberdeen and R.E. Jeffrey: From First Gaelic Broadcast to First Sci-Fi
Dr. Aleksandar Kocic
Lecturer in journalism at Edinburgh Napier University
Edinburgh Napier University
Episode: #105 2BD Aberdeen and R.E. Jeffrey: From First Gaelic Broadcast to First Sci-Fi
Gavin Sutherland
Composer and musician known for reconstructing themes from British broadcasting history.
Fast Tunes Ltd
Episode: #103 Sept 1923 on the BBC, Rob Roy and Gavin Sutherland
Mary English
Former BBC staff with experience in radio broadcasting since the 1970s
BBC
Episode: #102 SB: Simultaneous Broadcasting... and Mary English
Dr. Inja Stanović
Director of the Early Recordings Association and researcher specializing in early recordings
University of Surrey
Episode: #101 The Sykes Report + Early Recordings Association

Host

Paul Kerensa
Host of The British Broadcasting Century, engaging storyteller, and comedian with a passion for 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 Kingdom2 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 States3 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.

The quality of guests and the range of topics covered are noted as strengths, emphasizing the podcast's educational value.
Listeners praise the podcast for its blend of historical knowledge and entertainment, often highlighting its detailed research and engaging storytelling.
Reviews commend the host's lively presentation style, making the complex topics accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience.

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

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 The British Broadcasting Century

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

Focusing on the rich history of British broadcasting, this series is dedicated to uncovering vital narratives and lesser-known figures who shaped the development of radio over the last century. With engaging storytelling, the episodes explore pivotal events, technological advancements, and impactful personal anecdotes, often featuring expert guests who contribute insights into the evolution of the broadcasting industry. The inclusion of archive audio clips and humorous commentary adds depth and entertainment to the informative discussions, making the series accessible and enjoyable for both enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

This series stands out for its unique blend of historical exploration and contemporary relevance, appealing not... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The British Broadcasting Century?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The British Broadcasting Century. 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 The British Broadcasting Century and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The British Broadcasting Century get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The British Broadcasting Century, 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 The British Broadcasting Century?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The British Broadcasting Century, 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 The British Broadcasting Century have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The British Broadcasting Century 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 The British Broadcasting Century?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The British Broadcasting Century:

1. Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast
2. The News Agents
3. Last Word
4. Simon Mayo's Books of the Year
5. The Rest Is Politics

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.

How do I contact The British Broadcasting Century?

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 The British Broadcasting Century?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The British Broadcasting Century 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 The British Broadcasting Century?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The British Broadcasting Century. 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 The British Broadcasting Century?

Recent guests on The British Broadcasting Century include:

1. Dr. Tom Mills
2. James Cary
3. Miranda Hart
4. James Cridland
5. Gordon Bathgate
6. Dr. Aleksandar Kocic
7. Gavin Sutherland
8. Mary English

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days