The Limelight podcast - for fiction and drama serials you won't want to miss from Radio 4.
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Bbc Radio 3 Podcasts
BBC Radio 3's Composer Of The Week is a guide to composers and their music. The podcast is compiled from the week's programmes and published on Friday, it is only available in the UK.
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Every Friday we bring you a new drama from BBC Radio 4 or Radio 3. Exercise your imagination with some of the best writers and actors on radio. Storytelling at its very best.
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Guests from all walks of life discuss their musical passions and talk about the influence music has had on their lives.
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In-depth documentaries which explore a different aspect of history, science, philosophy, film, visual arts and literature. The Sunday Feature is broadcast every Sunday at 6.45pm on BBC Radio 3.
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Matthew Sweet's weekly look at music for the screen
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When sport collides with true crime.
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Commanders, soldiers and pilots who served in Afghanistan describe a gruelling assault and an astonishing rescue mission.
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The teams assume nothing as they examine events through fresh eyes.
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Rory Stewart with a radical take on the concepts that shape our lives.
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In this set of free downloads, BBC Radio 3 presenters introduce a key composer and work featured in BBC Prom concerts.
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Building a Library: a guide to the best recordings of the greatest classical music. Each week an expert and enthusiast brings along a wide range of recordings of a well-known piece. They explore the music and the different ways of performing it, ending with a recommendation for your library
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Topical comedy from the sharpest satirical minds in the business. Listen first on BBC Sounds, every Friday. Is the news driving you up the wall? You’re not alone. Let the comedians take the strain and work out what’s been funny this week. Features BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz, Dead Ringers, The Naked Week and Too Long; Didn’t Read. Listen on BBC Sounds, seven days earlier than anywhere else, and subscribe to make sure that you don’t miss an episode.
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Key pieces of music from the Georgian period explored by Suzy Klein and Christian Curnyn. From BBC Radio 3
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BBC Radio 3 Opera guides
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Leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week - insight, opinion and intellectual surprise.
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Artists, musicians and composers introduce fifty key pieces of classical music composed between 1950 and 2000. As featured in the BBC Radio 3 programme, Hear & Now.
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Best-selling author Matthew Syed explores the ideas that shape our lives with stories of seeing the world differently.
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Rethink music with The Listening Service. Tom Service presents a journey of imagination and insight, exploring how music works
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Sara Mohr-Pietsch interviews today’s composers exploring the relationship between their immediate environment and the music they write. From BBC Radio 3’s Hear and Now, published on Sunday mornings.
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World music from the Commonwealth countries for BBC Radio 3’s World on 3, Fridays. Musicians, sportspeople and cultural figures introduce music recorded on location.
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David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news
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An exploration of early music, looking at early developments in musical performance and composition in Britain and abroad. UK only: please note that not all episodes are podcast.
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Discover classical music loved by celebrated guests from all walks of life. To hear the music in full go to BBC Playlister.
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The final shortlist of winning carols in the Breakfast Christmas Carol Competition. Composed by listeners, a setting of a poem by Susan Hill specially written for Radio 3
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Norman Lebrecht interviews a major cultural figure
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Discover the world with music. Join local experts for a sonic journey around the globe.
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BBC Radio 3's Piano A to Z
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Innovative and thought-provoking features that make adventurous use of sound and explore a wide variety of subjects. Made by leading radio producers.
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Radio 3's regular jaunt into the latest, brightest and best gaming soundtracks.
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Advice and guidance to those interested in building a library of jazz recordings.
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Creative collaborations in new music. A series where the world’s leading composers and performers explain how they cooperate in the creation of new work.
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Maurice Ravel revealed through guides to his work and life. First broadcast on BBC Radio 3's Ravel Day, 7 March 2014.
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An antidote to today’s frenzied world. Step back, let go, immerse yourself: it’s time to go slow. Listen to the sounds of birds, mountain climbing, monks chatting as you go about your day. A lo-fi celebration of pure sound.
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The home of Marianna Spring's social media and disinformation investigations for BBC Radio 4, with new series "Marianna in Conspiracyland 2".
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How do you get into the biggest classical music festival in the world? Follow composer and comedian Vikki Stone as she unbuttons the BBC Proms and asks the questions everyone else is afraid to ask.
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In 1986, members of environmental group London Greenpeace published a leaflet called What's Wrong with McDonald's? It claimed McDonald's was exploiting workers, destroying rainforests, torturing animals, and promoting food that could make people sick, even cause cancer... McDonald's said the claims in the leaflet were untrue, harmed its reputation and demanded an apology. Helen Steel, a gardener, and a former postman named Dave Morris, refused. Mark Steel takes us into the murky world of McD ...
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The stories that matter, the people that matter, the music that matters
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The podcast for classical newbies. If you fancy giving classical music a go, start here.
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Jess Gillam hosts the music show for people who like classical and other stuff too. Music, eclectic playlists and chat, with a new guest every week.
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Your one-stop shop for all things Shakespeare. Catch A-List casts in brand new audio versions of Shakespeare’s greatest plays, plus documentaries from the brightest minds on the bard’s life and work.
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A personal view of classical music from a range of presenters. Authored, themed mini-series and one-off programmes offer a chance to share the musical interests of the presenters.
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Katie Derham explores the relationship between music and dance in a variety of genres.
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Highlights from BBC Radio 3’s In Tune - featuring interviews with guests from the world of music and the arts. In Tune is presented by Sean Rafferty and Katie Derham.
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NEW in Politically: Reflections Conversations with leading political figures in which they reflect on their lives in politics.
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Britten 100. Highlights from Radio 3’s Britten centenary weekend in Aldeburgh with special features, interviews and on location reports recorded in Suffolk.
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Join Izzy Judd to escape the noise of daily life through the power of music and meditation in the ultimate therapeutic podcast. Experience guided meditations covering themes such as refining work life balance, winding down for the night and easing social anxiety from a range of experts enhanced by an immersive classical soundtrack. And if you want the guided meditations without the chat, each one is available separately as a Ten Minute Meditation.
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A comprehensive guide to the language of opera with contributions from singers, conductors, directors and vocal coaches. From BBC Radio 3, May 2010
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Too Long; Didn't Read: Ep 3. Let's get this party started
28:42
28:42
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28:42Why does Britain have so many new parties? And why are none of them the fun kind? Catherine Bohart investigates the rising challengers to the two-party system, with the help of Zoe Lyons, Ian Dunt and roving correspondent Sunil Patel. Written by Catherine Bohart, with Madeleine Brettingham, Gareth Gwynn and John Tothill. Producer: Alison Vernon Smi…
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For Apache helicopter pilots Tom O'Malley and Ed Macy - the mission has changed. Their new objective is to prevent the stricken Lance Corporal Mathew Ford from becoming a prisoner of The Taliban. So they take the fight to them. But Tom is growing increasingly frustrated. With fuel and ammunition limited - how long can they sustain their airborne pr…
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Mark Kermode began reviewing films 40 years ago, and has established himself as one of our most foremost critics, both in print and on air. He co-presents Screenshot on Radio 4 and the podcast Kermode and Mayo’s Take, with his long-term collaborator Simon Mayo.He’s said he goes to every screening hoping it will be the next Citizen Kane – but he’s a…
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The News Quiz: Ep 1. Flags out, stamp duty. Stamped out, off duty.
27:56
27:56
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27:56Andy Zaltzman is joined by Alasdair Beckett-King, Andrew Maxwell, Lucy Porter and Coco Khan to break down the week in news. Topics include Angela Rayner skipping out on stamp duty, Xi Jinping's summit, the decline in cement, a new leader for the Green Party, and the rapid multiplication of St George's flags. Written by Andy Zaltzman. With additiona…
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Donald Macleod explores Robert Schumann’s years in Dusseldorf – the city where he would spend the final years of his life. Despite often being portrayed as a creative disaster, during this period, Schumann was greatly inspired by the city and by the countryside which surrounded it, and would write some of his greatest music. Music featured:Marchenb…
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The first series of Life and Time was awarded Bronze at his year's ARIAS and now the second series returns. This time writer, James Fritz focuses on the Prison Officers. Prison Officer, Michael Rose featured briefly in the first series and he's back. Michael is good at his job. It's rewarding but the pressure is growing. A wave of experienced offic…
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Gwen decides it’s time to take matters into her own hands. But what she finds out will make her doubt everything she thought she knew. An Aberystwyth-set thriller, by BAFTA Cymru nominee Fflur Dafydd, with original music by Mercury Prize nominees Gwenno and Rhys Edwards. CAST Gwen.... Alexandra RoachLiz.... Remy BeasleyOwen... Sacha DhawanGeraint..…
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Overwhelmed by enemy fire, Zulu Company have marshalled their casualties from the "killing ground" and staged a hurried withdrawal. Last to leave, Company Sergeant Major Shep Shepherd describes desperate efforts to account for their missing man. Senior Marine, Lance Corporal Mathew Ford cannot be found. Back at base - the decision is instant. A "no…
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The Royal Marines Commandos have launched their ground assault on Jugroom Fort. A jagged, v-shaped hole has been blasted into its side, and fresh from a nerve-wracking river crossing, the men of Zulu Company surge from their Viking vehicles to take up positions and press home their assault. This will be the location for "the break-in", the moment o…
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In 2014, Lydia Laurenson moved to San Francisco. As she struggled to find her place and her people in a new city, one mysterious invitation changed everything. After a compelling - if slightly bizarre - induction, she was welcomed into a secretive and exclusive group called The Latitude. Their aim? To experience life more creatively. There’s someth…
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The story of Jugroom Fort takes a step back in time to the eve of battle. January 2007. The battle-hardened Royal Marines of Zulu Company assemble ahead of a massive air bombardment of the target, a notorious Taliban stronghold. Their orders include the possibility of crossing the Helmand River and attacking on foot. At 5am - that order is given. T…
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The Fort is told solely by current and former members of the Armed Forces. Many are speaking for the first time. A Royal Marines raid on a Taliban stronghold has been met with fierce resistance - leaving Lance Corporal Mathew Ford missing behind enemy lines. Commander of the Information Exploitation Battlegroup Lieutenant Colonel Rob Magowan is pre…
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Afghanistan, January 2007. It's a piece of military daring that went down in history: Three Royal Marines and a Royal Engineer hold on to the side of Apache attack helicopters, heading into battle to recover a fallen comrade. Those involved in a gripping, almost unbelievable day, tell their story, many speaking for the first time. It begins with Br…
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Too Long; Didn't Read: Ep 6. Computer says no
28:22
28:22
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28:22Is AI taking over? And if so, how should we treat our new robot overlords? Catherine Bohart investigates, with the help of Olga Koch, Professor Kate Devlin, and our regular roving correspondent Sunil Patel. Written by Catherine Bohart, with Madeleine Brettingham, Rose Johnson and Pravanya PillayProducer: Alison Vernon SmithExecutive Producers: Lynd…
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The evolution of Charles Darwin's world-changing study, On the Origin of Species. Darwin enlists the help of his children in experiments that clarify his own thinking on animal collaboration, variation and natural selection. A new drama by Sarah Woods, recorded on location in Darwin's former home, Down House, Kent, by kind permission of English Her…
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For the first time, commanders, soldiers and pilots who served in Afghanistan tell their story of the gruelling assault on Jugroom Fort - and an astonishing rescue mission.By BBC Radio 4
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As people back home partied in the streets, celebrating victory in Europe in May 1945, war wasn’t over for the many thousands of soldiers and civilians on the Asian front. For those in Japanese prison camps, or fighting in distant jungles, it wasn’t always over on the day Japan announced its unconditional surrender on August 15th. Episode 3 of The …
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Liz is definitely up to something – but is just as inscrutable as ever. With the clock ticking and ongoing pressure from Owen, Gwen has to take a risk to find out what it is…An Aberystwyth-set thriller, by BAFTA Cymru nominee Fflur Dafydd, with original music by Mercury Prize nominees Gwenno and Rhys Edwards. Gwen.... Alexandra RoachLiz.... Remy Be…
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Was Hansie Cronje a villain? A victim? Or something in between? In this final episode, we unpack the legacy Hansie left behind — the loyalties, the doubts, and the stories that still divide opinion. Some say he was trapped by powerful people and trying to find a way out. Others say he knew exactly what he was doing. From emotional moments with clos…
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Anna Go-Go has always defied expectations - she was a drummer (still rare for a woman), then a comedian and now a mass Go-Go dance instructor - always with her beloved cats by her side. But when she turned 40, she noticed people’s attitudes changed towards her. They saw her as an older woman living alone with cats and really began to treat her like…
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Rory Stewart explores ideas of what it means to be a hero from the ancient world to the present day. How have these ideas changed? Why do heroes matter? Who are the heroes we need today? With the help of leading historians, psychologists, philosophers and theologians, he examines how heroism is continually questioned and re-invented in every age, a…
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Too Long; Didn't Read: Ep 5. The Special Relationship
29:09
29:09
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29:09With UK-US relations in the spotlight, Catherine Bohart wants to know just what the special relationship means in 2025. With the help of Felicity Ward, Amb. John Bolton and our regular roving correspondent Sunil Patel, Catherine's asking what makes the special relationship 'special'? Are the US and the UK really exclusive? And does anyone have the …
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The Second Map: 2. The Secrets in the Safe
43:51
43:51
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43:51In Episode 2 of The Second Map, the war against Japan enters a new phase. Some of the most significant battles of the Second World War were fought on the Asian front - including by the 14th Army, which was known as ‘The Forgotten Army’, even at the time. It was formed after a string of defeats to Japan and was made up of nearly a million men, the m…
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Gwen is recruited to spy on another mum in her local baby group. But how long can she keep up the act? An Aberystwyth-set thriller, by BAFTA Cymru nominee Fflur Dafydd, with original music by Mercury Prize nominees Gwenno and Rhys Edwards. CASTGwen .... Alexandra RoachLiz .... Remy BeasleyOwen .... Sacha DhawanGeraint .... Matthew GravelleYoga Teac…
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June 2002. Hansie Cronje dies in a plane crash. The reaction is immediate - shock, disbelief, grief. But not everyone buys the official story. In Episode 5, Mark Butcher traces Hansie’s final hours - a missed flight, a last-minute ride on a cargo plane, and a descent through mountain cloud with broken instruments and almost no visibility. Was it pi…
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Movie stuntman Brian Hite often experiences a dramatic slowing down of time while performing complex stunts in a matter of seconds, like car hits - entering the fabled place often described by top sportspeople as “the zone”. It’s something Matthew’s experienced himself during his professional table-tennis career. Brief, heightened moments in which …
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UK Resilience 3: How prepared are we for the next pandemic?
41:46
41:46
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41:46Five years ago we in the UK were in the false lull between the first wave of covid and the second, between the first variant and the second, between the first peak of covid deaths and the second, higher peak. There wasn’t a vaccine and we didn’t know when we might get one. Now it’s a memory. But another deadly pathogen might pop up in fifty years o…
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Rory Stewart explores ideas of what it means to be a hero from the ancient world to the present day. How have these ideas changed? Why do heroes matter? Who are the heroes we need today? With the help of leading historians, psychologists, philosophers and theologians, he examines how heroism is continually questioned and re-invented in every age, a…
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Too Long; Didn't Read: Ep 4. We've got our work cut out
28:43
28:43
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28:43With unemployment on the rise, Catherine and friends want to know why Britain isn't working. Is it AI? Is it older workers taking early retirement? Or is there something bigger going on? To find out why, Catherine is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Isabel Berwick, and roving correspondent Sunil Patel - and they've got their work cut out... Written by Cathe…
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Donald explores the life of Delius through five of his relationships Donald Macleod meets the people who found themselves bewitched by Frederick Delius - both the man and his music. Music Featured: The Walk to the Paradise GardenIrmelinRequiem Brigg FairSongs of FarewellOn Hearing the First Cuckoo in SpringNorth Country Sketches Florida SuiteViolin…
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Gwen is recruited to spy on another mum in her local baby group. But how long can she keep up the act? An Aberystwyth-set thriller, by BAFTA Cymru nominee Fflur Dafydd, with original music by Mercury Prize nominees Gwenno and Rhys Edwards.By BBC Radio 4
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We all know the heroic story of Britain fighting the Nazis in World War Two. But what’s less well-known in popular memory is the war on the Asian front, against Japan. Yet it touched many families across Britain. Their descendants are still uncovering stories today. On the same day as Japan’s attack on the US Naval bases at Pearl Harbor there were …
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Central Intelligence: Series 2: Episode 10
33:06
33:06
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33:06The story of the CIA, told from the inside out by veteran agent Eloise Page. Starring Kim Cattrall, Ed Harris, and Johnny Flynn. In Episode 10... It’s 1963. Vietnam is spiralling. President Kennedy, convinced the war is un-winnable, authorises secret support for a South Vietnamese military coup. But cracks are forming within both the CIA and the Wh…
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UK Resilience 2: How prepared are we for cyber threats?
28:42
28:42
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28:42From councils disrupted by ransomware, leaked defence data or individuals duped by deep fakes, the UK faces increasing cyber threats. David Aaronovitch asks his guests how prepared we are - whether as government defending critical infrastructure or as individuals guarding our digital identities. Guests:Sadie Creese, Professor of Cyber Security in t…
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Hansie’s admitted guilt but the real drama is only just getting started. Episode 4 takes us to the King Commission, a library turned media circus, where cricket’s clean image takes hit after hit. More names come out. More matches are mentioned. And as the pressure builds, the emotion gets raw. And one big question hovers over it all: was this about…
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Few people you’ll come across on the street look like Ryan Emans. His body is heavily modified, from head to toe - including a tongue split that gives it a forked, snake-like shape. These changes weren’t accidental or something he was born with, Ryan chose each modification deliberately as a way to make his outer self reflect who he truly is inside…
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Rory Stewart explores ideas of what it means to be a hero from the ancient world to the present day. How have these ideas changed? Why do heroes matter? Who are the heroes we need today? With the help of leading historians, psychologists, philosophers and theologians, he examines how heroism is continually questioned and re-invented in every age, a…
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1
Central Intelligence: Series 2: Episode 9
33:26
33:26
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33:26The story of the CIA, told from the inside out by veteran agent Eloise Page. Starring Kim Cattrall, Ed Harris and Johnny Flynn. In Episode 9… After the Bay of Pigs disaster, JFK demands accountability - CIA Director Allen Dulles is out. In his place, chaos brews. Enter Ed Lansdale, the CIA’s eccentric covert action operative, tasked with a bold mis…
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UK Resilience 1: How prepared are we for climate change?
28:24
28:24
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28:24The UK is getting hotter. And wetter. Extreme weather events in the UK are happening more often. And that trend won’t stop any time soon. It all means more flooding and fire risk. Enter the R word - resilience - how well are we coping with what’s going on now, and how advanced is our planning for what’s coming? In the first of our three part mini s…
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The Centurion Test is over. Hansie’s praised for “saving” the match. But rewind 24 hours and the real story starts to unfold. In Episode 3, we go behind the scenes of a game that never should’ve happened - cryptic calls, hotel whispers, and a captain running his own playbook. Then, by pure chance, someone’s listening. And suddenly, Hansie’s house o…
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The People vs McDonald's: 6. Judge For Yourself
28:54
28:54
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28:54The verdict is delivered and Helen discovers the true identity of her former partner, John In 1986, members of environmental group, London Greenpeace, published a leaflet called ‘What’s wrong with McDonald’s?’ It claimed McDonald’s was exploiting workers, destroying rainforests, torturing animals, and promoting food that could make people sick, eve…
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The People vs McDonald's: 5. Clowning Around
28:18
28:18
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28:18When Helen digs out some old letters from her former partner John, she finds some potential clues. In 1986, members of environmental group, London Greenpeace, published a leaflet called ‘What’s wrong with McDonald’s?’ It claimed McDonald’s was exploiting workers, destroying rainforests, torturing animals, and promoting food that could make people s…
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The People vs McDonald's: 4. A Proper Grilling
28:24
28:24
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28:24A few months into the trial, Helen and Dave get an unexpected communication from the McDonald's Board of Directors. In 1986, members of environmental group, London Greenpeace, published a leaflet called ‘What’s wrong with McDonald’s?’ It claimed McDonald’s was exploiting workers, destroying rainforests, torturing animals, and promoting food that co…
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The People vs McDonald's: 3. Flipping Burgers!
28:17
28:17
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28:17When McDonald's discloses internal company documents to the court, they reveal somebody has been watching... In 1986, members of environmental group, London Greenpeace, published a leaflet called ‘What’s wrong with McDonald’s?’ It claimed McDonald’s was exploiting workers, destroying rainforests, torturing animals, and promoting food that could mak…
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The People vs McDonald's: 2. Burger, Nugget, Ketchup, Spy
28:32
28:32
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28:32The London Greenpeace numbers have been dwindling until new faces start turning up at meetings...but something isn't right. In 1986, members of environmental group, London Greenpeace, published a leaflet called ‘What’s wrong with McDonald’s?’ It claimed McDonald’s was exploiting workers, destroying rainforests, torturing animals, and promoting food…
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In 1986, members of environmental group, London Greenpeace, published a leaflet called ‘What’s wrong with McDonald’s?’ It claimed McDonald’s was exploiting workers, destroying rainforests, torturing animals, and promoting food that could make people sick, even cause cancer... McDonald’s said the claims in the leaflet were untrue and defamatory and …
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