It's been 18 months since the BBC first announced sweeping changes to Local Radio in England. Now, most of the 39 stations share regional output on weekdays from 2pm and then national programming after 6pm. The decision immediately led to howls of protest from staff, politicians and Feedback listeners. This week, Andrea has been speaking to the person behind these changes, the Head of Audio and Digital for BBC England, Chris Burns. Last week Radio 3 Controller, Sam Jackson, explained the rationa...
May 02, 2024•28 min
Sam Jackson is Radio 3’s relatively new controller - he’s been in the job for just a year and, at 40, he’s much younger than most of the station’s listeners. Earlier this month he took the plunge and introduced a raft of changes to the schedule. This week on Feedback, he explains the thinking behind the changes and responds to listeners' comments. And The Now Show is no more. After 25 years, Radio 4’s topical comedy staple ended last week. Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis join Andrea in the studio to ...
Apr 25, 2024•28 min
Helen Lewis has Left the Chat is a six-part series on Radio 4 which examines how instant messaging has “taken over our lives". It delves into the murky, and often hilarious world of WhatsApp and other apps to explore how they have shaped our world. Many of you loved the programme - but some of you also found the strong language an instant turn off, especially at 9.30am. Helen Lewis tells Andrea why the team believed keeping the expletives in was crucial to telling the story. A recent episode of ...
Apr 18, 2024•29 min
Andrea Catherwood talks to Rachel Burden, the presenter of Cafe Hope, about the need to hear more positive stories, and gets your views on the new programme. She also hears the thoughts of Book of the Week fans, which has moved to a new, later timeslot, in part to make room for Cafe Hope, as part of the recent schedule changes at Radio 4. Following last week’s discussion on the future of the BBC and the way it is funded, more of you have been adding your thoughts to the licence fee reform debate...
Apr 11, 2024•29 min
Are the days of the BBC licence fee numbered and, if so, what might replace it? In the week that the licence fee goes up by £10, we’re asking you to give us your views on the corporation’s future funding model. Matt Walsh, Head of Cardiff University’s Journalism School gives us his take. The Radio 4 Schedule changes have now kicked in, but what research were the decisions based on? Andrea puts your questions to Alison Winter, Head of Audiences, Radio and Education at the BBC. And Strike Boy is a...
Apr 04, 2024•29 min
The BBC’s Royal Correspondent Jonny Dymond reflects on recent coverage of the Royal family and the Princess of Wales' revelation of her cancer diagnosis, responding to listener comments. And Robin Edwards who was editing Radio 4’s 6 o’clock news on the day of the Princess' announcement, talks about the dilemma he faced when reports of the Moscow shooting started to come through just ten minutes before they went on air. Also, we hear listeners express their views on the news that Radio 4's Law In...
Mar 29, 2024•28 min
This week you’ve been giving us your views on the Woman’s Hour series on the impact of pornography. We dig a little deeper into the issue with Ruth McDermott, a listener who has specialist knowledge of covering sensitive topics. The BBC is planning to run adverts on some of its audio content on third party platforms like, Apple and Spotify. We speak to Audio Industry Consultant Matt Deegan to get his take on it. And from April 1st, Tweet Of The Day is disappearing from the weekday schedule, to b...
Mar 22, 2024•28 min
Radio 4 is revamping its schedule from the beginning of April. Andrea Catherwood talks to the station’s controller Mohit Bakaya about why he’s decided to press refresh. He also responds to listeners’ questions about shifting the Archers omnibus by an hour on Sundays and explains the thinking behind Feedback being moved to Thursdays. Also, we hear the polarised views of listeners on Amol Rajan’s feisty interview with the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. Some say it was a breath of fresh air – others that ...
Mar 15, 2024•28 min
Schedule changes, Moral Maze and Singers Saved. As Radio 3 and 4 prepare to shake-up their schedules, you’ve been getting in touch with your views. Archers fans and Record Review regulars have been quick to air their concerns. Also, Andrea Catherwood looks back at some more memorable schedule change moments with former Radio 4 controller, Mark Damazer. Moral Maze listeners vent their feelings on the recent debate on veganism where all four of the panellists were meat eaters. The BBC Singers have...
Mar 08, 2024•29 min
In the last episode of the series, Andrea Catherwood reveals the Feedback Interview of the Year and discusses the art of the interview with Mishal Husain, Justin Webb and Adrian Edmondson. And do we need a new national anthem? That was the question posed on a recent edition of Radio 4’s Antisocial which prompted a passionate response from Feedback listeners. Andrea talks to the programme's presenter Adam Fleming about how to shed light on hot topics. Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Will Y...
Dec 22, 2023•28 min
How often do you think about the Romans? Historian Dr Mary Beard speaks with Andrea Catherwood on her new series for BBC Radio 4 ‘Being Roman’ BBC Radio 4 recently released the latest series of The Lovecraft Investigations – based on the occult writer HPLovecraft’s stories. Many Listeners told us how unsettling they were. Feedback’s Special Correspondent Rob Crossan investigates the enduring appeal of audio horror. And we're almost at the end of year of cuts and changes to BBC Local Radio in Eng...
Dec 15, 2023•28 min
Great thinkers, Gangsters, and Love and Money - it’s all on this week’s Feedback. Andrea Catherwood talks themes and locations of The Reith Lecturers 2023 with this year's Lecturer Professor Ben Ansell and BBC Radio 4 Commissioning editor Hugh Levinson. We delve into the murky depths of love and inheritance with the presenter of the podcast series Intrigue: Million Dollar Lover. And listener Jay Smith from Birmingham is in the Vox Box to unpick a Radio 5 Live series exploring gangland violence i...
Dec 08, 2023•28 min
Feedback this week has a distinctly Middle Eastern feel. The BBC’s International editor, Jeremy Bowen, talks to Andrea Catherwood about the challenges of accuracy and impartiality on the frontline of the Israel/Hamas War. Also, was The Food Programme right to devote an episode to “Food Under Siege in Gaza”? The programme presenter Sheila Dillon responds to listener comments. And Bloodlines is a new 7-part podcast from the BBC Asian Network. Reporter Poonam Taneja travels to the detention camps o...
Dec 01, 2023•29 min
Can True Crime podcasts ever do more than just tell a rollicking good story? Andrea Catherwood talks to the presenter of the BBC’s Fairy Meadow Podcast, Jon Kay about the challenges and responsibilities of delving into personal family traumas after uncovering a potential new lead in a 50 year old case of a missing child. Also, the BBC Audio’s Head of Drama, Art and Classical Music, Emma Harding discusses how to pick ‘A Good Read’. And find out why an interview with a charity boss on Woman’s Hour...
Nov 24, 2023•28 min
The programme that holds the BBC to account on behalf of the radio audience
Nov 17, 2023•28 min
The Today Programme has re-entered the crowded market of news podcasts - so how do they hope to make the new offer stand out? Andrea Catherwood discusses The Today Podcast with presenter, Nick Robinson. Long time breakfast TV presenter and journalist Sian Williams decided a few years ago to leave the newsroom and study psychology. Now Dr Sian Willians is both an NHS counselling psychologist and presenter of Radio 4’s series Life Changing which each week focuses on one person who's been through a...
Nov 10, 2023•28 min
The BBC Sounds app launched five years ago. Andrea Catherwood discusses its original aims with a member of its founding team, and asks current Director of Sounds, Jonathan Wall, how far its meeting its targets and about ambitions for the future. Also have you been listening to The Lovecraft Investigations ? Writer and Director Julian Simpson answers listeners questions on the new BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds series. Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Gerry Cassidy A Whistledown Scotland produc...
Nov 03, 2023•29 min
The programme that holds the BBC to account on behalf of the radio audience
Oct 27, 2023•28 min
The programme that holds the BBC to account on behalf of the radio audience
Oct 20, 2023•28 min
The BBC has been criticised for avoiding use of the word "terrorist" in its coverage of events in Israel and Gaza. Andrea Catherwood discusses this, and the BBC's coverage of the conflict, with Richard Burgess, the BBC's Director of News Content. Also, we have more on the ongoing controversy surrounding the BBC's decision to cut Local Radio output. And two journalism students at Cardiff University run the rule over the Today podcast's new, chattier feel. Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Ge...
Oct 13, 2023•28 min
Call Jonathan Pie has been one of the most popular new BBC comedy podcasts, with over a million plays on BBC Sounds. It pulls no punches and next week makes its debut on Radio 4. Jonathan Pie creator, comedian Tom Walker, and Radio 4’s Comedy Commissioner Julia McKenzie join Andrea Catherwood to discuss the satirical phone-in show and respond to listeners’ comments. Did BBC Audio play a blinder with their coverage of the Women's World Cup? Sports Reporter Heather Dewar joins Andrea to hear what ...
Aug 25, 2023•28 min
Today presenter, Justin Webb, and Senior News Editor for BBC News Podcasts, Jonathan Aspinwall, join Andrea Catherwood to discuss the trials and tribulations of American politics and answer your comments on BBC Sounds and Radio 4’s Americast. In response to last week’s programme, we hear what more listeners have to say about the BBC’s plans for the future of Long Wave. 6 Music listeners share their thoughts on the changes to the station’s evening schedule and in the Vox Box, Steven Jones and his...
Aug 18, 2023•28 min
Musician and 6 Music presenter Tom Robinson has been a passionate advocate for BBC Introducing shows on Local Radio through his BBC Introducing Mixtape on 6 Music. Tom joins Andrea Catherwood to voice his concern about the reduction in shows and to respond to your comments. Glasgow graffiti artists Conzo and Ciaran, who gained notoriety with their ‘fake Banksy’, are in the Vox Box to review a series about the rise of the real deal - Radio 4’s The Banksy Story. And listeners lament the demise of ...
Aug 11, 2023•28 min
Is the BBC getting climate change right? Andrea Catherwood is joined by the BBC's Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt to answer your comments. Radio 3’s Katie Derham takes Andrea on a backstage tour of the Royal Albert Hall and hears what listeners have to say about this year’s Proms. The latest listening figures came out this week and it’s not good news for the BBC. Matt Deegan, Creative Director of Radio Consultancy firm Folder Media, unpicks the statistics. Presented by Andrea Catherwood Produced b...
Aug 04, 2023•28 min
Radio 4’s Fever: The Hunt for Covid’s Origin is under the Feedback microscope this week. John Sudworth was the BBC’s China Correspondent during the virus outbreak. He joins Andrea Catherwood to answer your comments on his series investigating where Covid came from. Two young listeners are in the Vox Box to review the World Service’s The Forum on The Evolution of Teenagers. The Forum’s Producer Jo Impey responds to what they have to say. And we hear your take on the Today programme’s coverage of ...
Jul 28, 2023•28 min
The BBC’s Annual Report is bigger than usual but are the results any better? Andrea Catherwood is joined by Professor Simon McKerrell, Head of the Department of Media and Music at Glasgow Caledonian University, to unpick the figures and answer your comments. 6 Music DJ Stuart Maconie responds to listeners' feedback on the Northern Soul Prom that had the audience singing, dancing and raising the roof of the Royal Albert Hall. And in the week the Women’s Football World Cup begins, footballers Rose...
Jul 21, 2023•28 min
How effective is the BBC at reporting on itself? Steven Barnett, Professor of Communications at the University of Westminster, joins Andrea Catherwood to respond to your comments on how the BBC handled the Huw Edwards story. Glaswegian comedian Janey Godley reveals why she’s telling all the jokes in her Radio 4 series, Janey Godley: The C Bomb, and hears the views of the audience. Dr Kevin Fong answers listener comments on the BBC’s portrayal of the NHS, and discusses his new Radio 4 series The ...
Jul 14, 2023•28 min
Andrea Catherwood is back with a new series of Feedback. BBC Disinformation and Social Media Correspondent Marianna Spring joins Andrea to discuss her latest series Marianna in Conspiracyland, in which she investigates the legacy left by the rise in conspiracy movements in the UK and the media machine at its heart. Do Radio 3’s mood music programmes make listeners turn on, tune in or drop out? Radio 3's Head of Music, Edward Blakeman, responds to audience views. And in the latest on changes to L...
Jul 07, 2023•29 min
THIS PROGRAMME HAS BEEN EDITED SINCE FIRST BROADCAST. Andrea Catherwood hears what former BBC Managing Editor, Dr Liam McCarthy has to say about the changes at Local Radio. Jason Horton, Director of Production BBC Local, responds. Listeners give their verdict on Vernon Kay's first week at Radio 2. And Feedback's Special Correspondent Rob Crossan reminisces about Radio 4 shows that have been put out to pasture. A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4
May 20, 2023•29 min
Andrea Catherwood is joined by Jonathan Munro, BBC's Director of Journalism, to answer listeners’ comments on BBC Radio coverage of the coronation of King Charles III. Jamie Bartlett discusses how he went about telling the extraordinary story in the BBC Sounds podcast Believe in Magic. And listeners respond to the new evening schedule at 6 Music that brings changes to the Gideon Coe and Marc Riley shows. Presented by Andrea Catherwood Produced by Gill Davies A Whistledown Scotland production for...
May 12, 2023•28 min
