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Hosted by BBC World Service · news · EN · 373 episodes
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. Featuring new episodes of The President's Path, Unspun World with John Simpson, and The Media Show.
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Contact path
Verified email
Booking probability
38%
Guest openness
Selective
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Signup to Generate a PitchWhere 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.
The Explanation is hosted by BBC World Service. The show has published 373 episodes to date.
Recent episodes include "The President's Path: Trump's immigration stance and the midterms" (23 October 2026, 15 minutes), "Unspun World: Saudi Arabia’s safe-haven reputation" (23 October 2026, 26 minutes), and "The Media Show: More cuts at the BBC" (22 October 2026, 23 minutes).
The Explanation publishes roughly daily, with episodes averaging 22 minutes across 373 episodes.
Booking probability for The Explanation is 38%, and the host is rated Selective on guests. The Explanation requires a Pod Score of 80 or higher. The Explanation's contact route on record: verified email.
BBC World Service hosts The Explanation, a news show with 373 episodes published.
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The Explanation
Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann take a closer look at how President Trump’s tough stance on immigration is impacting lives and politics. Sumi joins us from Florida, where she’s been hearing from...
The Explanation
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the toll on Saudi Arabia of ongoing Houthi attacks, explores whether the Japanese will end their post-war pacifism, and...
The Explanation
This week the BBC announced more cuts as part of its drive to save £500 million, following on from a series of other budget saving measures over the last few months. Katie and Ros take stock of everything announced so...
The Explanation
Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann discuss how the issue of affordability is playing out in different parts of the US - and shaping voters' views. Will voters punish the president and his team at the...
The Explanation
John Simpson explores the effect on civilians of Russia’s intense bombardment of Ukrainian cities, looks at how Turkey has become a more authoritarian state, and analyses China’s decision to regulate AI chatbots...
The Explanation
Writer and producer Russell T Davies reflects on his career, from the groundbreaking series Queer as Folk to the revival of Doctor Who, Years and Years and his latest Channel 4 drama Tip Toe. The BBC has issued an...
The Explanation
Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann look at the Democrats' race to the midterms. The party is eyeing some key victories in races across the country, to secure control of either the House or Senate – or...
The Explanation
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores how Israeli attitudes have changed three years on from the 7 October attacks, analyses the possible impacts of the...
The Explanation
Six months after Péter Magyar’s election ended Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule, Hungary’s new government faces scrutiny over its promised press reforms. BBC East and Central Europe Correspondent Nick Thorpe reports from...
The Explanation
Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann examine the role President Trump is playing in the race to November’s midterm elections. They discuss whether his endorsement is helping Republican candidates, look...
The Explanation
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, looks at the impact of intensifying Russian attacks on Ukraine, analyses the state of the relationship between China and the...
The Explanation
The Premier League alleges that Manchester City arranged sham contracts with commercial partners to conceal more than £830 million in funding. BBC Sport’s Laura Scott, Der Spiegel journalist Christoph Winterbach, Nick...
The Explanation
Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann discuss President Trump's big week on the international stage, from the United Nations General Assembly to hosting China's president at the White House. They examine...
The Explanation
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the state of Germany’s government after resounding regional election defeats, looks at the effect of American cutbacks...
The Explanation
The publication of Earl Spencer’s book about Princess Diana, serialised by the Daily Mail, has reignited debate over who shapes her legacy. BBC Royal Correspondent Sean Coughlan, Evening Standard Royal Editor Robert...
The Explanation
Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann discuss the European Union's ambition for Canada to become its first-ever "associate member", a status that does not currently exist. They examine what such a...
The Explanation
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the impact of the latest outbreak of hostilities in Yemen, examines whether there is any hope for a Palestinian state...
The Explanation
The right of reply has long been a cornerstone of journalism, giving those involved in a story the chance to respond before publication. But with politicians and public figures now using social media to publish their...
The Explanation
Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann reflect on the legacy of the 9/11 attacks 25 years on, examining their lasting impact on US society and foreign policy, and how that day reshaped the course of the...
The Explanation
In 1964, a group of seven-year-olds appeared in a TV documentary about class in Britain. The cameras returned every seven years to see how their lives had changed. Now, more than 60 years later, 70 Up brings the project...
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