60 Best BBC World Service Podcasts

Dec 05, 2023⋅Contents
Follow Top 60 BBC World Service Podcasts from one place on Feedspot Reader
The best BBC World Service podcasts from thousands of podcasts on the web and ranked by traffic, social media followers & freshness.Learn more

Ranking is based on
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  • Blog post frequency, freshness, total posts
  • Social media follower counts and engagements
  • Domain authority
  • How old the blog is
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Our expert editorial team reviews each blog before adding it to a relevant category list. Blogs covering industry insights, news and personal opinions are given higher rankings than those promoting their own brand or products.
We routinely remove inactive blogs and those which are no longer relevant to the list. List is updated as we receive new blog submissions and re-ranked every few weeks. less
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BBC World Service Podcasts

Here are 60 Best BBC World Service Podcasts worth listening to in 2023

1. The Documentary Podcast

The Documentary Podcast London, England, UK
A window into our world investigating, exploring and telling stories from everywhere. Original BBC documentary storytelling, bringing the globe to y...our ears. Award-winning journalism, unheard voices, amazing culture and 'unputdownable' audio. New episodes every week from our teams: documentaries, Assignment, Heart and Soul, In the Studio and OS Conversations.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
59.8M 40.3M 3 episodes / week Avg Length 31 min Mar 2020
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2. Newshour

Newshour London, England, UK
Interviews, news and analysis of the day's global events.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
5.7M 2.3M 5.3M 1 episode / day Avg Length 49 min
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3. Science In Action

Science In Action London, England, UK
The BBC brings you all the week's science news.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
61.1M 40.3M 179.2K 1 episode / week Avg Length 28 min
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4. Global News Podcast

Global News Podcast London, England, UK
The latest from Israel and Gaza and all the top stories from BBC News. Twice a day on weekdays, daily at weekends and special episodes. Reports and an...alysis from around the world.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
6M 2.3M 5.1M 1 episode / day Avg Length 31 min
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5. The Lazarus Heist

The Lazarus Heist London, England, UK
Hackers, North Korea and billions of dollars. Lazarus returns in fact, the criminals never went away. Season 2 begins at an ATM, possibly near you. ...With Jean Lee and Geoff White. Investigators claim a secretive, elite North Korean hacking ring, nicknamed the Lazarus Group, is responsible for the theft of billions of dollars around the globe. Pyongyang denies having anything to do with cybercrimes, saying the United States is making these allegations to try to tarnish its image. Season 1 told the stories of the Lazarus Group's alleged hacks on Sony Pictures Entertainment and Bangladesh Bank and the WannaCry ransomware attack.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
59.7M 40.3M 300.4K 10 episodes / year Avg Length 33 min
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6. CrowdScience

CrowdScience London, England, UK
We take your questions about life, Earth and the universe to researchers hunting for answers at the frontiers of knowledge.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
59.8M 40.3M 1 episode / week Avg Length 31 min
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7. Business Matters

Business Matters London, England, UK
Global business news, with live guests and contributions from Asia and the USA.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 15.6K 8.7K 1 episode / day Avg Length 51 min Dec 2015
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8. Focus on Africa

Focus on Africa London, England, UK
Three essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the big topics and news from Africa, the people behind them, plus an African perspec...tive on global stories. Hosted by Audrey Brown. Five days a week, ready by late afternoon, Monday to Friday.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
6M 2.3M 5.1M 1 episode / day Avg Length 31 min
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9. HARDtalk

HARDtalk London, England, UK
In-depth, hard-hitting interviews with newsworthy personalities.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.2M 551.9K 225.5K 2 episodes / week Avg Length 24 min
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10. Africa Daily

Africa Daily London, England, UK
One question to wake up to every weekday morning. One story from Africa, for Africa. Alan Kasujja takes a deep dive into the news shaping the continen...t. Ready by early morning, five days a week, Monday to Friday.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
5.7M 2.3M 5.3M 1 episode / day Avg Length 19 min
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11. Discovery

Discovery London, England, UK
Explorations in the world of science.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 269.9K 1 episode / week Avg Length 28 min
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12. Health Check

Health Check London, England, UK
Health issues and medical breakthroughs from around the world.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 173.9K 1 episode / week Avg Length 27 min
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13. Business Daily

Business Daily London, England, UK
The daily drama of money and work from the BBC.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
61.2M 15.6K 26.8M 1 episode / day Avg Length 19 min Jul 2014
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14. The History Hour

The History Hour London, England, UK
A compilation of the latest Witness History programmes.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 269.2K 3 episodes / month Avg Length 52 min
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15. The Real Story

The Real Story London, England, UK
Global experts and decision makers discuss, debate and analyse a key news story.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
6.6M 2.3M 5.2M 1 episode / week Avg Length 50 min
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16. The Global Jigsaw

The Global Jigsaw London, England, UK
Looking at the world through the lens of its media. We live in an age of information warfare, weaponised narratives and captured media. So, what agend...as are at play? BBC Monitoring tracks and analyses media in up to 100 languages. Think of us as your media detectives, lifting the language barrier to tell you what's being said, to whom, and why.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 270.1K 1 episode / week Avg Length 32 min
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17. The Conversation

The Conversation Two women from different parts of the world, united by a common passion, experience or expertise, tell Kim Chakanetsa the stories of their lives.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
167.4K 551.9K 1 episode / week Avg Length 28 min
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18. The Climate Question

The Climate Question London, England, UK
A global programme that reflects the variety of takes on climate change, how best to understand it and the world's attempts to avert it, temper it or ...adapt to it.It is not about questioning whether climate change is happening, it's about finding the best ways to respond to it.This is sharp-edged, analytical inquiry. Hard scrutiny, touched with a sense of adventure and discovery, and where we can find it, hope.It includes stories from across the world on why we find it so hard to save our own planet, and how we might change that.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.2M 551.9K 223.5K 1 episode / day Avg Length 25 min
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19. Witness History: Black history

Witness History: Black history London, England, UK
Listen to and download our programmes
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 270K 1 episode / quarter Avg Length 10 min
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20. Witness History: World War Two

Witness History: World War Two London, England, UK
Listen to and download our programmes
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 270K 7 episodes / year Avg Length 10 min
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21. World Business Report

World Business Report London, England, UK
The latest business and finance news from around the world from the BBC
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 15.6K 175.2K 2 episodes / day Avg Length 28 min Dec 2016
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22. The Inquiry

The Inquiry London, England, UK
The Inquiry gets beyond the headlines to explore the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
5.7M 2.3M 5.3M 1 episode / week Avg Length 24 min
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23. Unexpected Elements

Unexpected Elements London, England, UK
The news you know, the science you don't. Unexpected Elements looks beyond everyday narratives to discover a goldmine of scientific stories and connec...tions from around the globe. From Afronauts, to why we argue, to a deep dive on animal lifespans: see the world in a new way.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 175.1K 1 episode / week Avg Length 51 min
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24. Tech Life

Tech Life London, England, UK
Tech Life discovers and explains the ways technology is changing our lives, wherever we are in the world. We meet the people with bright ideas for ret...hinking the way we work, learn and play, and get hands-on with the products they dream up. We hold tech giants to account for their huge power to affect our lives, and ask who wins, and who loses, in the technology transformation. Tech Life is your guide to a future being made, and remade, at lightning speed in front of our eyes.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
824.1K 15.9K 5.2M 1 episode / week Avg Length 28 min Oct 2018
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25. Digital Planet

Digital Planet London, England, UK
Technological and digital news from around the world.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.2M 551.9K 225.5K 1 episode / week Avg Length 41 min Oct 2018
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26. People Fixing the World

People Fixing the World London, England, UK
Brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We meet people with ideas to make the world a better place and investigate whether they work.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
5.7M 2.3M 5.3M 1 episode / week Avg Length 25 min
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27. What in the World

What in the World London, England, UK
Helping you make sense of what's happening in your world. Big stories, small stories and everything in between. Understand more, feel better. Five... days a week, Monday to Friday.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 270K 4 episodes / week Avg Length 14 min
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28. The Compass

The Compass London, England, UK
Surprising stories from unusual places. With ideas too big for a single episode, The Compass presents mini-series about the environment and politics, ...culture and society.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 258.8K 10 episodes / year Avg Length 28 min
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29. World Football

World Football London, England, UK
Original football stories and interviews from around the globe.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
5.7M 2.3M 5.3M 5 episodes / month Avg Length 32 min
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30. The Comb

The Comb London, England, UK
Combing Africa for stories about the unseen forces that bind us together and tear us apart. A single story, every week. Hosted by Kim Chakanetsa. #the...combmore
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 270.1K 12 episodes / year Avg Length 27 min
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31. Trending

Trending London, England, UK
In-depth reporting on the world of social media.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
5.7M 2.3M 5.3M 7 episodes / quarter Avg Length 23 min
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32. The Forum

The Forum London, England, UK
The programme that explains the present by exploring the past.
bbc.co.uk/sounds/b..
7.3M 551.9K 270K 1 episode / month Avg Length 45 min
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33. Fifth Floor

Fifth Floor London, England, UK
Faranak Amidi takes a fresh look at the stories of the week with journalists from our 40 language sections.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
5.7M 2.3M 5.3M 1 episode / week Avg Length 41 min
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34. Heart and Soul

Heart and Soul London, England, UK
Personal approaches to spirituality from around the world.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.2M 551.9K 20 episodes / year Avg Length 28 min Jul 2016
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35. Sporting Witness

Sporting Witness London, England, UK
The inside and personal story of the key moments from sporting history
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 270.1K 1 episode / week Avg Length 10 min
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36. Stumped

Stumped London, England, UK
The weekly cricket show from BBC Sport in association with ABC and Akashvani.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 2.3M 175.4K 1 episode / week Avg Length 34 min
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37. Music Life

Music Life London, England, UK
Where music stars discuss how they make their music.
bbc.co.uk/sounds/b..
7.3M 551.9K 270K 1 episode / week Avg Length 32 min
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38. The Explanation

The Explanation London, England, UK
Where 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.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 270.1K 2 episodes / week Avg Length 27 min
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39. World Book Club

World Book Club London, England, UK
The world's great authors discuss their best-known novel.
bbc.co.uk/sounds/b..
7.3M 551.9K 171K 1 episode / month Avg Length 49 min
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40. Lives Less Ordinary

Lives Less Ordinary London, England, UK
Have you ever locked eyes with a stranger and wondered, 'What's their story?' Step into someone else's life and expect the unexpected. Extraor...dinary stories from around the world.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 269.2K 4 episodes / month Avg Length 41 min
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41. The Dark Is Rising

The Dark Is Rising London, England, UK
A young boy's time-travelling fight against ancient evil. When the Dark comes rising, who will hold it back? This dramatisation of Susan Cooper...9;s cult novel is a magical journey into the supernatural.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.2M 551.9K 225.6K 13 episodes / year Avg Length 17 min
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42. Match of the Day Africa: Top 10

Match of the Day Africa: Top 10 UK
Yaya Touré, Efan Ekoku and Gabriel Zakuani draw up their top 10s and debate all things African football, from the best goalscorers to the biggest mom...ents.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 261K 1 episode / day Avg Length 35 min
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43. Over to You

Over to You London, England, UK
Talk back to the BBC and challenge the programme makers.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
5.7M 2.3M 5.3M 1 episode / week Avg Length 10 min
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44. The Food Chain

The Food Chain UK
The Food Chain examines the business, science and cultural significance of food, and what it takes to put food on your plate.
bbc.co.uk/sounds/b..
7.2M 551.9K 225.2K 1 episode / week Avg Length 29 min
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45. World Questions

World Questions London, England, UK
The public's questions about issues affecting their country, recorded in a different global location each month
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 270.2K 1 episode / week Avg Length 50 min
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46. In the Studio

In the Studio London, England, UK
In the Studio is the new podcast which takes you into the minds of the world's most creative people, with unprecedented access. Famous artists, wr...iters, sports stars, musicians, DJs and designers invite you behind the scenes. We explore the creative process like never before.more
bbc.co.uk/sounds/s..
7.3M 551.9K 270.2K 15 episodes / year Avg Length 31 min
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47. Dear Daughter

Dear Daughter London, England, UK
Back with Season 2! Your letters to your daughters. What do you want them to know? What do they need to know? Namulanta Kombo is compiling her 'handbo...ok to life'. Podcast of the Year 2022, British Podcast Awards.Namulanta won the BBC's first International Podcast Competition and wants to hear your letters.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 270.1K 18 episodes / year Avg Length 25 min
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48. On the Podium

On the Podium London, England, UK
The stories behind the medals. Paralympian Scout Bassett, comedian Eliza Skinner and athletics commentator Ed Harry interview remarkable athletes abou...t the journeys they took to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 270.1K 4 episodes / quarter Avg Length 35 min
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49. Love, Janessa

Love, Janessa Canada
Behind every catfish, there's the bait. Who is Janessa Brazil? Stolen images of an adult entertainment star are being used to con victims out of thous...ands of dollars, breaking hearts in the process. Journalist Hannah Ajala embarks on a quest to find Janessa, in this 7-part true crime series. And who is responsible for catfishing scams? Produced for the BBC World Service and CBC Podcasts by Antica Productions and Telltale Industries.more
cbc.ca/listen/cbc-..
16.6K 12.9K 10.3K 7 episodes / year Avg Length 30 min
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50. Sportshour

Sportshour Live Saturday morning global sports show with reports, debate and humour.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
1.1M 1 episode / week Avg Length 33 min
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51. The Cultural Frontline

The Cultural Frontline London, England, UK
The Cultural Frontline: where arts and news collide.
bbc.co.uk/sounds/b..
7.3M 551.9K 174.7K 1 episode / week Avg Length 28 min
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52. Fukushima

Fukushima London, England, UK
Season 2: FukushimaA tsunami hits the Japanese nuclear plant. The disaster is told in a seven-part drama. As the energy company and politicians in Tok...yo lose control, the reactors become unstable and a 'suicide squad' of older workers is sent inside. This drama follows the heroes who fight to contain the disaster and those whose mistakes led Japan to catastrophe. Years later, some seek atonement.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 270K 9 episodes / year Avg Length 24 min
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53. Kalki Presents: My Indian Life

Kalki Presents: My Indian Life London, England, UK
Life for young Indian adults in the 21st Century explored by Bollywood actor Kalki Koechlin. Real stories from India - sometimes raw, often uplifting.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
1 episode / quarter Avg Length 22 min
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54. Sportsworld

Sportsworld Salford, England, UK
Live sport from around the world, with news, interviews and analysis.
bbc.co.uk/programm..
1.1M 1 episode / month Avg Length 43 min
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55. Amazing Sport Stories

Amazing Sport Stories London, England, UK
Sport but not as you know it. Forget the champions. This is about underdogs, myths, and drama. Global stories you'll wish you'd known about an...d now probably won't forget. There are other podcasts about gold medals and millionaire superstars. This is about courage, rule-breakers, and the unexpected. Tales from around the world, all told in mini-seasons and one-off episodes.more
bbc.co.uk/programm..
7.3M 551.9K 270.2K 1 episode / week Avg Length 13 min
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