The Explanation
BBC World ServiceWhere the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin. Exploring the important questions about long-running stories and the latest global news. An honest, unvarnished, explanation of the world.
Featuring new episodes of The President's Path, Unspun World with John Simpson, and The Media Show.
| Publishes | Daily | Episodes | 326 | Founded | 3 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | NewsNews CommentaryDocumentarySociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores the feelings of ordinary Iranians about the conflict with the United States, analyses the latest extreme global weather warnings, and looks at the sta... more
A new Netflix documentary follows the final stage of Rafael Nadal's tennis career. The series is the latest high-profile sports documentary made for a streaming platform. Zachary Heinzerling, director of Rafa, outlines how the film was made and the l... more
Caitriona Perry, Bernd Debusmann and CBS News' Fin Gomez look at how the Iran War is causing consumers to feel the pinch at the gas pump and the supermarket. They also take a closer look at this week's Texas primaries. Click here to subscribe to our ... more
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the possibility of the US forcing regime change in Cuba, examines the effect of the war in Ukraine on Vladimir Putin’s standing in Russia, and looks a... more
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Reviews
- Unspun World
I would look forward to hearing John Simpson’s rich timbre when speaking anytime day or night ! I do also happen to appreciate his considered , intelligent , sane reasoning. A must listen me
Apple Podcasts5Danish01
Australia2 months ago - Rightful
•SERIES: The President’s Path. Annoying Panellist Catchphrase: “Right?” (Even mid-sentence).
Apple Podcasts3(Gibberer)Australia6 months ago - Not so unvarnished
I want to hear both sides, but am finding their coverage more and more sympathetic to dark themes. For instance: describing people celebrating CK’s death as disgusting, and his ‘work’ as challenging opinions. Publicly, at least, this man was not a good person. Openly hateful talk is disgusting. Has the BBC entered the upside down world??
Apple Podcasts3Anneli Veronica
Canada9 months ago Superb podcast
Podcast Addict52 years agocougar- The explanation-the Grain deal
Just heard you Grain deal special Podcast.
It was disappointing that programme was trying to EXPLAIN the Deal:
•With Help of Expert from Kiev-Ukraine
•BBC Monitoring service
Wondering why you could not get experts based in Russia, I am sure Phone lines are open there!
One cannot at the end feel that the EXPLANATION was ONE sided view
It defeated the basic remit of the Programme
Apple Podcasts2pilot-without-runway
New Zealand3 years ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #221 |  United States/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #48 |  United Kingdom/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #165 | Canada/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #63 | Australia/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #67 |  Italy/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #166 |  Germany/News/News Commentary |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Explanation
What is The Explanation about and what kind of topics does it cover?
The series centers on global politics, media dynamics, and high-stakes diplomacy through a BBC-informed lens. Episodes frequently dissect US-Iran tensions, US-China relations, midterm political calculus, and the politics of media ecosystems, often weaving in on-the-ground reporting from international correspondents and guest analysts. A standout is the sustained emphasis on how policy, public opinion, and media narratives intersect in real-time, with a diverse roster of guests ranging from crisis analysts to journalists and policymakers. The show's strength lies in its granular, informed take on long-running stories and breaking events, making complex international developments accessible without sacrificing nuance.
Where can I find podcast stats for The Explanation?
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How many listeners does The Explanation get?
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What are the audience demographics for The Explanation?
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How many subscribers and views does The Explanation have?
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Which podcasts are similar to The Explanation?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The Explanation:
1. The Inquiry
2. The Documentary Podcast
3. The Global Story
4. The Interview
5. From Our Own Correspondent
How many episodes of The Explanation are there?
The Explanation launched 3 years ago and published 326 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 Explanation?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Explanation?
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What guests have appeared on The Explanation?
Recent guests on The Explanation include:
1. Honshay Habibi-Azad
2. Kaleb Morgas
3. Laura Kuenssberg
4. Zach Heinzerling
5. John Ferguson
6. Will Grant
7. Mitch Labyak
8. Dawn Alford
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.