Feedback

The BBC has just released a new raft of visualised podcasts - podcasts productions that you can watch as well as listen to. Some are being released on YouTube and some on iPlayer, but all have audio-only versions available on BBC Sounds too. It's part of a strategy to grow listenership beyond the audiences that usually listens to linear radio. But is it where everything is ultimately headed? Andrea Catherwood talks to Jonathan Kanagasooriam, Managing Editor for Podcast Strategy and Video Podcasts at BBC Sounds, about how he's catering for those who like to watch podcasts.
And the closure of long wave has been set for the end of this year - we hear an update from the BBC.
Finally, we hear from two fans of the longrunning Elis James and John Robins podcast, which has a home on BBC 5 Live. It's been on the airwaves for years, but a recent announcement has indicated that the pod is now moving visualised versions of their recordings behind a paywall on Patreon. Longtime listeners Emma and Chris give their take.
Presenter: Andrea Catherwood
Producer: Pauline Moore
Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie
Executive Producer: David Prest
A Whistledown Scotland Production for BBC Radio 4

Listeners have been telling us their thoughts about a recent episode of Radical with Amol Rajan, in which he interviewed Dr Suzanne O'Sullivan, a physician specialising in neurology and clinical neurophysiology. It was an in-depth discussion about the potential dangers of "over-diagnosis" - but some listeners felt that Dr O'Sullivan's views could have been challenged more. We get some answers to your questions.
A long-running and award-winning Radio 4 drama series has just come to an end. Faith, Hope and Glory has run for 43 episodes since 2021, and has recently wrapped up telling its ambitious, generation-spanning story about the emergence of modern multicultural Britain. Listeners have been in touch with their thoughts about the series, and so Andrea Catherwood sits down with one of the writers, Roy Williams, and director Jessica Dromgoole, to talk about how they weaved the story together.
And lastly, there's another nomination for our Interview of the Year award. Listener Maggie nominates the recent interview with legendary photographer Don McCullin on Radio 4's This Cultural Life, who shared his cultural touchstones while reflecting on his challenging experiences in his early life and as a working war photographer. Listen to find out why she thinks it deserves the top spot.
Presenter: Andrea Catherwood
Producer: Pauline Moore
Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie
Executive Producer: David Prest
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

Andrea Catherwood meets with Paddy O'Connell, longtime presenter of Broadcasting House. But this time we're going behind the scenes as Paddy has granted the Feedback team special access to the programme's inbox - and like Feedback's listeners, Broadcasting House's listeners have a lot to say. And how do you get the balance right when reporting on news during a day that is supposed to be dedicated to calm? Paddy gives his thoughts.
And some listeners had questions about a recent episode of Any Answers. Why did it only deal with one subject?
Finally, it's time for another edition of our VoxBox - this time it's two friends and PR professionals, Lauren and Dan, giving their take on the BBC's programme all about crisis management, When It Hits The Fan. Does the series do its best to inform, educate, and entertain, or is it all spin?
Presenter: Andrea Catherwood
Producer: Pauline Moore
Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie
Executive Producer: David Prest
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

Since the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran began at the end of February. Feedback has received a steady stream of comments from listeners about the tone of the BBC's coverage. We've also been discussing news avoidance from people who are starting to turn off the radio because of a prevalence of negative headlines. Andrea Catherwood takes a look inside the newsroom with the BBC's Director of News Content Richard Burgess.
We've also received many comments in response to our piece last week about a recent episode of Woman's Hour, with listeners offering a different perspective to those broadcast previously.
And it's the case of the missing radio programmes - some keen-eyed BBC Radio 4 Extra fans noticed that particular episodes of Miss Marple were mysteriously absent from BBC Sounds recently. We set out to crack the case.
Presenter: Andrea Catherwood
Producer: Pauline Moore
Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie
Executive Producer: David Prest
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

In light of the death of Jenni Murray who presented Radio 4's Woman's Hour for 33 years, listeners reflect on the impact she made on their lives over the decades.
We also discuss controversy on Radio 4's Woman's Hour, with many listeners questioning the programme's choice of guests for a discussion on “the manosphere” last week.
Reflecting on another much loved BBC broadcaster, Radio Times journalist Simon O'Hagan talks about Radio 2 presenter Liza Tarbuck's decision to step back from the programme which she has presented for the past 14 years. We also hear what Liza means to her loyal Saturday evening listeners.
Kicking off this year's nominations for Feedback's Interview of the Year, we revisit an interview with Jessie Buckley on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. The actress spoke to Lauren Laverne just before she became the first Irish woman to win a leading actress Oscar for her starring role in Hamnet.
Presenter: Andrea Catherwood
Producer: Rebecca Guthrie
Assistant Producer: Jac Phillimore
Executive Producer: David Prest
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4