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Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

By: Good Egg Productions
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About this listen

Roger Bolton, formerly presenter of BBC Radio 4's 'Feedback' launches his very first podcast. Free from the constraints of broadcasting on the BBC, with a few more opinions and casting his net a little bit wider to encompass the whole of the BBC, Roger examines the issues that are facing the corporation and public service broadcasting.


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We also support VLV (Voice of the Listener and Viewer) which represents the interests of audiences to make sure we continue to benefit from high quality radio and TV in the UK. You can find them here

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Good Egg Productions Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Jamie Angus: Ex-BBC World Service Director on Iran Coverage, Funding and Future-Proofing

    Jamie Angus: Ex-BBC World Service Director on Iran Coverage, Funding and Future-Proofing
    Feb 19 2026

    Jamie Angus, former Director of the BBC World Service, discusses the ethical and editorial dilemmas of BBC reporting from Iran under strict conditions and the funding crisis facing the World Service. We also explore his new Henry Jackson Society report to the Public Accounts Committee, setting out a future for the BBC World Service focused on shifting audience priorities, digital distribution, and new revenue ideas from AI licensing to commercialising BBC Monitoring.


    Have your say in the government's consultation by 10 March: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/britains-story-the-next-chapter-the-bbc-royal-charter-review-green-paper-and-public-consultation/britains-story-the-next-chapter-bbc-royal-charter-review-green-paper-and-public-consultation


    Suggested answers:


    British Broadcasting Challenge: https://britishbroadcastingchallenge.com/


    The Sandford St Martin Trust: https://sandfordawards.org.uk/religion-and-the-future-of-the-bbc-have-your-say/


    Listen to all our episodes here: https://podfollow.com/beebwatch

    To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership

    @beebwatch.bsky.social

    @BeebRoger

    Instagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatch

    LinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

    email: roger@rogerboltonsbeebwatch.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    30 mins
  • Elizabeth Anderson: Are We Ready for a Digital‑Only BBC in 2034?

    Elizabeth Anderson: Are We Ready for a Digital‑Only BBC in 2034?
    Feb 12 2026

    Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, discusses how the UK’s move towards a digital‑first media landscape could affect viewers and listeners. We explore what is meant by digital poverty in the UK today, the startling numbers affected, and what the impact could be if traditional broadcast TV (including Freeview) is switched off around 2034 – and how that might affect radio too. What could this mean for access to news, information and entertainment?


    We examine the relationship between internet connectivity, affordability and basic digital skills – and how that shapes the debate on different options for funding the BBC, and its claim to be a universal public service broadcaster in an online‑only world. We also consider the role of MPs, government and industry in developing a serious digital inclusion strategy and ensuring people are not left behind.


    Listen to all our episodes here: https://podfollow.com/beebwatch

    To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership

    @beebwatch.bsky.social

    @BeebRoger

    Instagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatch

    LinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

    email: roger@rogerboltonsbeebwatch.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • Phil Riley, radio executive, on BBC “radio licences”, local radio and the 2034 digital switch‑off

    Phil Riley, radio executive, on BBC “radio licences”, local radio and the 2034 digital switch‑off
    Feb 5 2026

    Phil Riley is one of commercial radio’s most experienced executives, former chief executive of Chrysalis Radio and now co‑founder and chief executive of Boom Radio, the station created for Britain’s baby boomers. We discuss current ideas for funding the BBC – including proposals around BBC Sounds and a possible “radio licence” – and what they could mean for both the BBC and commercial radio.


    We also explore the wider future of radio and public service broadcasting, including the growth of podcasts, streaming and small‑scale DAB, the implications for radio of the proposed 2034 switch‑off of digital terrestrial television, and the changing role of BBC Local Radio and local journalism.


    “Of all the heritage mainstream media, radio is in the best shape of all of them in terms of its ability to survive.”


    Listen to all our episodes here: https://podfollow.com/beebwatch

    To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership

    @beebwatch.bsky.social

    @BeebRoger

    Instagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatch

    LinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

    email: roger@rogerboltonsbeebwatch.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
All stars
Most relevant
Wonderful to discover this Podcast Roger. I listened to the vast .majority of your Feedback programmes on Radio 4 and was very sad to learn it was the BBC's decision not yours to dispense with your services on Feedback. There have been many changes of a similar nature over many years such as this that l did not agree with. These include Alex Lester, Ken Bruce, Simon Mayo, Janice Long, Eddie Mair and even the great Ray Moore who was forced to step down from his showvon Radio 2 in 1988, when he was ill on a Thursday without being able to say goodbye to his listeners as confirmed in his autobiography. Thanks for this brilliant podcast which l will listen to regularly. Peter Nadin Macclesfiekd

Great to hear you again Roger

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An independent, interesting and authoritative podcast. Well worth the time of anyone who wants a healthy and unbiased BBC working on their behalf.

Excellent

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