WS

RADIO-LISTS: BBC WORLD SERVICE
Unofficial Weekly Listings for BBC World Service (UK DAB version) — supported by bbc.co.uk/programmes/

SATURDAY 29 AUGUST 2026

SAT 00:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bbrjk)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 00:06 Unexpected Elements (w3ct8kcw)
Unexpected Elements

The news you know, the science you don’t. Unexpected Elements looks beyond everyday narratives to discover a goldmine of scientific stories and connections from around the globe. From Afronauts, to why we argue, to a deep dive on animal lifespans: see the world in a new way with Unexpected Elements.

SAT 01:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bbw8p)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 01:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnm6sp99y)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

SAT 01:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy17k2)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SAT 01:32 The Global Story (w3ct8m96)
The Global Story

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SAT 02:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bc00t)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 02:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnm6spf22)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

SAT 02:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy1c96)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SAT 02:32 Stumped (w3ct99fp)
Stumped

The weekly cricket show from BBC Sport in association with ABC and Akashvani

SAT 03:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bc3ry)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 03:06 Outlook (w3ct8hpy)
Outlook Mixtape: Strangers on a Train - part 2

Tales of a mysterious man and a lovestruck fellow commuter, a young student doctor from India who responded to the desperate call of a woman going into labour, and a London train driver on how he got the voice that would make his fortune.

In 2004, Zöe Folbigg was regularly commuting into London from her home in Hitchin, north of the British capital. While waiting for the 8.21 train one morning she spotted a handsome stranger and couldn't take her eyes off him. After pining for him for months, she plucked up the courage to ask him out on a date, but he already had a girlfriend. Then months later, he got back in touch.

One Saturday night in 2017, Gray Davis was on his way home on the New York subway with his wife and mother when they saw another passenger get pushed on to the tracks. The professional ballet dancer used the strength and skills he'd gained from years of dancing to leap to the rescue.

Natalia Paruz took up playing the musical saw after a bad car accident. She now plays the unusual instrument in New York's subway stations. Reporter Colm Flynn went to meet her in 2017.

Redd Pepper was working as a train driver on the London Underground when his incredibly deep booming passenger announcements got him noticed by talent spotters. In 2018, Redd told Matthew Bannister how he became a voice over artist adding drama to Hollywood movie trailers.

In 2017, Indian medical student Vipin Khadse became a hero when he delivered a baby on a packed train. The labour was complicated, but luckily Vipin had a surgical blade and was in Whatsapp contact with his training mentors who guided him through the difficult delivery. Matthew Bannister heard Dr Khadse's story.

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Andrea Rangecroft

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: A transparent 60-minute cassette tape with a white label bearing the words: The Outlook Mixtape. Credit: Getty Images)

SAT 03:50 Witness History (w3ct98f2)
The hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73

On the 5 September 1986, hijackers took over a Pan-American Airways flight during a stop-over at Karachi Airport in Pakistan.

The armed Palestinian terrorists wanted to fly the plane to Cyprus and Israel, to free members of their organisation who were jailed there.

But, after the pilots escaped the cockpit, the plane stayed on the ground for 16 hours with almost 400 passengers on board.

When the power on the plane ran out – the hijackers began to shoot indiscriminately. 22 people were killed and more than 150 injured.

Madhvi Bahunga was a Pan-American Airways flight attendant, who was on the plane that day. She speaks to Tim O’Callaghan.

Witness History is a short BBC World Service podcast about history that takes you inside big moments from the past through first-hand testimony and archive. Each weekday, in around nine minutes, we revisit one moment that helped shape the world and hear it through the voice of someone who was there. Scientists, artists, campaigners, soldiers, leaders and everyday people tell their true stories.

When you subscribe to Witness History, you’ll be taken inside turning points in world affairs from West Africa’s fight back against Boko Haram in 2015 to the behind-closed-doors talks that led to the US-Cuba “thaw” and the surprise announcement of restored relations.

You’ll discover what it was like to experience disasters and how people recovered from them, including the Tabasco floods in Mexico, Portugal's worst train disaster, and the huge clean-up after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

You’ll explore culture and ideas too: Sweden’s Expedition Robinson, often credited as the first modern reality TV game show; the friendship between The Beatles’ George Harrison and Indian sitarist Ravi Shankar; and the night a tiger attack brought Las Vegas superstars Siegfried and Roy’s show to a sudden end.

And if you’re curious about inventions, we’ll tell you how air fryers, BlackBerry, YouTube, Alexa, GPS, superglue, the shopping cart (shopping trolley) and bubble tea were created.
If you’re new to Witness History, the appeal is simple: real voices, one strong true story, and a fresh way to understand today through events from history – all in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of tea or a walk around the block. Join millions of BBC World Service podcast listeners around the globe and enjoy the insight, context and detail Witness History will bring you.

(Photo: Flight 73 the day after the hijacking at Karachi Airport. Credit: Kraipit Phanvut/AFP via Getty Images)

SAT 04:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bc7j2)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 04:06 Unexpected Elements (w3ct8kcw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 00:06 today]

SAT 05:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bcc86)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 05:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnm6sps9g)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

SAT 05:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy1qjl)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SAT 05:32 Dear Daughter (w3ct908b)
A mother of many

Anita from Singapore is a mother whose first fostering experience didn’t go to plan, but she was encouraged to try again.

Twenty-three years on, she has opened her heart and home to 28 foster children.

She tells Namulanta Kombo about the difficult moments, and the joy and purpose she’s found in giving children a safe, loving place to grow.

To find out more about Dear Daughter, to take part, or read our privacy notice, please go to www.bbcworldservice.com/deardaughter. Or you can contact the team via WhatsApp on +44 800 030 4404.

SAT 05:50 More or Less (w3ct9995)
Do Germans really take 19.5 days of sick leave per year?

How do different countries compare, in terms of the amount of time that workers take as sick leave?

Loyal listener Dave got in touch to ask us to look at a surprising statistic he saw in the news – that the average German takes 19.5 days of sick leave per year.

“This is extremely hard to believe,” he wrote.

We track down the – highly reliable – source of the claim, and look at the differences between countries when it comes to taking time of work with illness.

To guide us through it all is Lukas Lehner - assistant professor at the University of Edinburgh.

If you’ve seen a number in the news that you think we should take a look at, get in touch: moreorless@bbc.co.uk

Presenter: Lizzy McNeill
Producer: Krista Beighton
Series producer: Tom Colls
Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown
Sound mix: James Beard
Editor: Richard Vadon

SAT 06:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bch0b)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 06:06 Weekend (w1730c5q1rdcvft)
A review of the week with the latest news.

SAT 07:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bclrg)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 07:06 Weekend (w1730c5q1rdcz5y)
A review of the week with the latest news.

SAT 08:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bcqhl)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 08:06 Weekend (w1730c5q1rdd2y2)
A review of the week with the latest news.

SAT 09:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bcv7q)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 09:06 BBC Conversations (w3ct8m42)
BBC Conversations

How major news stories are affecting the lives of people around the world

SAT 09:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy26j3)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SAT 09:32 Americast (w3ct8lzk)
Join Americast for insights and analysis on what's happening inside Trump's White House.

SAT 10:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bcyzv)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 10:06 Not by the Playbook (w3ct996x)
Stories from Flushing Meadows

Andrea Jaeger takes us the behind the scenes and reveals the secrets of her remarkable rise to stardom as one of the youngest players to make a Grand Slam final. How she beat Billy-Jean King, in what was the legends final grand slam match, and the conversation they had after! Andrea's star burned exceptionally bright, but it was a shooting star, retiring at the age of just 19. What the early end of her career allowed her to do was pursue what has become a lifetime's passion. Charitable work supporting children with cancer!

Joanne Schickerling is a racquet wizard. Born in South Africa it was her tennis ability that brought her to the USA. In 2023 she became a Racketlon World Champion, and if you don't know what that is, you are not alone! All you need to know is that you have to be very very good at many sports played with a racquet. Joanne explained what's needed to win and also how Street Squash, the non-profit she is part of run is helping the children of Harlem not only discover the joy of squash, and provides a safe place to be.

Sport is by definition a cutthroat business, but is it "The Cruellest Game" there is? Well, that's the question author and tennis journalist Matt Futterman has set out to answer in his new book of the same name. Is there something specific about tennis that seems to demand more than any other sport - and why do so many players walk away from the sport?

Nearly thirty years ago Australian tennis player Pat Rafter was the surprise winner of the Men's US Open. Dismissed as a “fluke” victory by John McEnroe, Rafter returned to Flushing Meadows the following year and retained the title, becoming world number one in the process. He tells his story.

Photo: The US Open at Flushing Meadow Credit: Joel Hammer/BBC)

SAT 11:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bd2qz)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 11:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnm6sqhs7)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

SAT 11:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy2g0c)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SAT 11:32 Health Check (w3ct8k2v)
Health Check

Health issues and medical breakthroughs from around the world.

SAT 12:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bd6h3)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 12:06 The Documentary (w3ct9btg)
The Price of Peace

Former Colombian army sergeant Jaime Coral Trujillo was actively involved in the “false positives” scandal, where civilians were killed and falsely presented as guerrillas. Now, through a restorative justice programme run by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), he helps recover bodies from mass graves. The film explores divided views on justice and reconciliation in Colombia.

A 2 Degrees West production.

SAT 13:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bdb77)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 13:06 Newshour (w1730bn5khdf4g9)
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.

SAT 14:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bdfzc)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 14:06 Sportsworld (w1730c8ztnt5140)
Live sport from around the world with news, interviews and analysis.

SAT 18:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bdxyw)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 18:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnm6src04)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

SAT 18:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy3978)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SAT 18:32 Dear Daughter (w3ct908b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:32 today]

SAT 18:50 Sporting Witness (w3ct8rxl)
‘Baby Jet’ Ghana’s sprinting superstar

Alice Annum won two silver medals at the 1970 Commonwealth Games. It led to her becoming known as ‘Baby Jet’.

She was also the first woman to represent Ghana at the Olympics and competed in the 100m, 200m and long jump.

Years after her accomplishments the nickname ‘Baby Jet’ was taken on by the Ghanian footballer, Asamoah Gyan.

In 2024, She told Gill Kearsley the story of how she got, and reclaimed, her nickname.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive and testimony. Sporting Witness is for those fascinated by sporting history. We take you to the events that have shaped the sports world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes, you become a fan in the stands as we take you back in time to examine memorable victories and agonising defeats from all over the world. You’ll hear from people who have achieved sporting immortality, or those who were there as incredible sporting moments unfolded.

Recent episodes explore the forgotten football Women’s World Cup, the plasterer who fought a boxing legend, international football’s biggest ever beating and the man who swam the Amazon river. We look at the lives of some of the most famous F1 drivers, tennis players and athletes as well as people who’ve had ground-breaking impact in their chosen sporting field, including: the most decorated Paralympian, the woman who was the number 1 squash player in the world for nine years, and the first figure skater to wear a hijab. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the tennis player who escaped the Nazis, how a man finally beat a horse in a race, and how the FIFA computer game was created.

(Photo: Alice Annum in 2024. Credit: Sally McBratney)

SAT 19:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bf1q0)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 19:06 The Evidence (w3ct8t0b)
Are microplastics affecting our health?

Scientists say they have found microplastics in human organs like the brain, gut and even in our blood.

So what’s the evidence that microplastics are changing our bodies and affecting our health?

Claudia Hammond puts your questions on microplastics to a panel of experts and asks what the science can really tell us.

SAT 20:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bf5g4)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 20:06 The Arts Hour (w3ct8h8d)
The Arts Hour

The best global arts coverage from across the BBC.

SAT 21:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bf968)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 21:06 Newshour (w1730bn5khdg3fb)
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.

SAT 22:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bfdyd)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 22:06 Not by the Playbook (w3ct996x)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:06 today]

SAT 23:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bfjpj)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SAT 23:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnm6sryqs)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

SAT 23:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy3wyx)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SAT 23:32 This Is Africa (w3ct8tdh)
Moliy

Moliy is a superstar, thanks to her viral hit Shake It to the Max which charted in countries all around the world. She’s a bubbly, chatty, confident Ghanaian-American 24-year-old woman, happy to post about her life and twerk in unlikely places. But as she tells DJ Edu in this episode, she’s also a real girl who has had to overcome anxiety and the impact of body shaming.

Moliy first started getting noticed around the world in 2021 when she featured on Sad Girlz Luv Money with fellow Ghanaian Amaarae, a female empowerment song with a hypnotic fusion of Afropop and RnB.

She’s just released a 12-track mixtape called Baddies Love Moliy, featuring South Africa’s Grammy-winning Tyla, Jamaica’s dancehall sensation Shenseea and fellow Ghanaian Sarkodie.

In this free-wheeling conversation, Moliy shares the impressive thinking that got her through tough times, as well as her musical journey, her inspirations and her aspirations.

DJ Edu’s 10in10 tracklisting:

XIXANMIN - NIKANOR (Benin)
Bezaf - Salim Cravata & Tawsen (Morocco)
Woman - Ginius (Ghana)
Dangerous - Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
NGENA (PHUMA) - Bmunii, ShortAndTall, Mzilikaziboy & 263GSD (Zimbabwe)
Yoyo - Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
Bhanoyi - ft DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy, Angekebabuye mc & Mluusician (South Africa)
Sukari - Keemlyf & Tommy Flavour (Ken)
Makusudi - Awilo Longomba (Democratice Republic of Congo)
• فيك حاجة - Donia Wael (Egypt)

Presenter: DJ Edu
Producers: Catherine Fellows and Penny Dale

SUNDAY 30 AUGUST 2026

SUN 00:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bfnfn)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 00:06 BBC Conversations (w3ct8m42)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:06 on Saturday]

SUN 00:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy40q1)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SUN 00:32 The Documentary (w3ct9chj)
LA: Rising from the ashes

On 7th January 2025, the Altadena and Pacific Palisades neighbourhoods of Los Angeles suffered two of the most destructive fires in the city’s history. Twenty-one people died and 15,000 buildings were destroyed over a combined area the size of Paris.

The city is still reeling from the scale and intensity of the fires, and the challenge of rebuilding areas in which almost nothing remains standing. As the first tentative shoots of recovery begin to appear, Jonathan Glancey meets locals, including architects Scott Uriu and Michael Kovac. Like Dustin Bramell, co-founder of the Case Study: Adapt programme, they lost their own homes in the fires. Others, like architect and social justice advocate Steven Lewis, or Cynthia Siegler and Alex Athenson, founders of the Foothill Foundation Catalogue, saw their neighbours and communities displaced. Now they’re trying to help replace what has been lost while looking for better ways of building, in a land where earthquakes, drought and fire are an ever present threat.

As man-made climate change and urban growth worsen the risk and impact of fires, Jonathan asks experts including Dan Turner, a retired fire chief and executive director of Cal Poly’s Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Institute, and architecture critic Frances Anderton if and how this city can reshape itself for a better future.

Presenter: Jonathan Glancy
Producer: Michael Umney
Executive producer: Susan Marling
A Just Radio production for the BBC World Service

(Photo: The ruins of a house stand surrounded by scorched trees after the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on February 2, 2025. by Ali Matin via Getty Images)

SUN 01:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bfs5s)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 01:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnm6ss671)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

SUN 01:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy44g5)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SUN 01:32 Dear Daughter (w3ct908b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:32 on Saturday]

SUN 01:50 Sporting Witness (w3ct8rxl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:50 on Saturday]

SUN 02:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bfwxx)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 02:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnm6ss9z5)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

SUN 02:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy4869)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SUN 02:32 Health Check (w3ct8k2v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:32 on Saturday]

SUN 03:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bg0p1)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 03:06 The Documentary (w3ct9btg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 on Saturday]

SUN 04:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bg4f5)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 04:06 From Our Own Correspondent (w3ct99cf)
From Our Own Correspondent

Insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents, journalists and writers from around the world.

SUN 04:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy4hpk)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SUN 04:32 BBC Inside Science (w3ct9782)
A weekly show exploring science, its mysteries, and the debates it sparks.

SUN 05:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bg859)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 05:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnm6ssp6k)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

SUN 05:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy4mfp)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SUN 05:32 Asia Specific (w3ct9byx)
Asia Specific

Asia Specific brings you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the Asia Pacific region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends.

Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people. Whether it is the latest on trade between China and Donald Trump, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we unpack what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.

Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk

SUN 05:50 Sporting Witness (w3ct8rxl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:50 on Saturday]

SUN 06:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bgcxf)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 06:06 Weekend (w1730c5q1rdgrbx)
A review of the week with the latest news.

SUN 07:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bghnk)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 07:06 Weekend (w1730c5q1rdgw31)
A review of the week with the latest news.

SUN 08:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bgmdp)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 08:06 Weekend (w1730c5q1rdgzv5)
A review of the week with the latest news.

SUN 09:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bgr4t)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 09:06 From Our Own Correspondent (w3ct99cf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:06 today]

SUN 09:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy53f6)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SUN 09:32 The Food Chain (w3ct70yx)
Should I eat breakfast?

High prices, busy lives and the rise of intermittent fasting mean more people are skipping breakfast. This week, Ruth Alexander speaks to three experts in nutrition about whether that matters. She finds out what it’s best to eat for your first meal of the day and when is best to have it.

Experts Courtney Peterson, a researcher in intermittent fasting and associate professor at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health in the United States.. Professor Alexandra Johnstone, a nutrition scientist based at The Rowett Institute at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland snd Marianella Herrera, an associate professor in public health nutrition at Central University of Venezuela and visiting lecturer at Framingham State University in the US, share their insights.

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk

Producer: Izzy Greenfield
Image: A bowl full of cereal and a spoon (credit: Getty)

SUN 10:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bgvwy)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 10:06 People Fixing The World (w3ct8t16)
Peanuts for the People

In the 30 years since its invention the ready to use therapeutic food plumpy'nut has saved the lives of millions of children and protected countless others from the effects of malnutrition.

But the story of how it transformed treating the world's starving children is one of both persistence and inspiration. The brainchild of two Frenchmen; Doctor Andre Briend and Michel Lescanne, a food processing engineer, they set out to put the power to feed children back into the hands of parents. With the help of organisations like UNICEF they created a system of manufacture and distribution that would not only feed the hungry but benefit the economies of the countries where plumpy'nut was needed.

Presenter: Myra Anubi
Reporter: Jewel Kirungi
Producer: Peter McManus
Editor: Steven Hobson

SUN 10:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy575b)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SUN 10:32 The Fifth Floor (w3ct8sqy)
The Fifth Floor

Faranak Amidi presents global stories from the fifth floor of Broadcasting House, home to the BBC’s Language Services.

SUN 11:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bgzn2)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 11:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnm6stdpb)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

SUN 11:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy5bxg)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SUN 11:32 Dear Daughter (w3ct908b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:32 on Saturday]

SUN 11:50 More or Less (w3ct9995)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:50 on Saturday]

SUN 12:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bh3d6)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 12:06 The Evidence (w3ct8t0b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:06 on Saturday]

SUN 13:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bh74b)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 13:06 Newshour (w1730bn5khdj1cd)
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.

SUN 14:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bhbwg)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 14:06 The Climate Question (w3ct99hy)
The Climate Question

Stories on why we find it so hard to save our own planet, and how we might change that.

SUN 14:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy5q4v)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SUN 14:32 Happy News (w3ct8nww)
Happy News

Positive news stories

SUN 15:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bhgml)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 15:06 Sportsworld (w1730c8ztnt81s7)
Live sport from around the world with news, interviews and analysis.

SUN 19:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bhym3)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 19:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnm6svcnc)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

SUN 19:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy69wh)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SUN 19:32 In the Studio (w3ct8l5q)
Felt art that looks good enough to eat

Lucy Sparrow stitches life into everyday objects, creating a vibrant world of felt that looks just like the real thing. Following the success of her New York City bagel store and British fish and chip shop, she has now recreated a Walmart convenience store in Arkansas, USA, complete with TV dinners and vintage VHS films from the 1980s.

Anna Bailey follows Lucy and her small team in the east of England as they cut out, stitch and paint 20,000 individual felt items for the exhibition, including smiling cauliflowers and bananas. Lucy has been making things from felt since childhood and wants to celebrate the everyday objects which fill our lives. But a word of warning: although her art looks soft and appealing, in this programme Lucy will be talking about her lived experience of an eating disorder and her struggles with her mental health.

SUN 20:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bj2c7)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 20:06 Unexpected Elements (w3ct8kcw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 00:06 on Saturday]

SUN 21:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bj63c)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 21:06 Newshour (w1730bn5khdk0bf)
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.

SUN 22:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bj9vh)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 22:06 The Climate Question (w3ct99hy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:06 today]

SUN 22:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy6p3w)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SUN 22:32 Assignment (w3ct8h1l)
Brazil’s gambling addiction

The figures are startling. 2.1 million Brazilians have a clinical addiction to betting. 7.5 million are problem gamblers. Women now comprise 40% of all gamblers, having been 25% just a decade ago. Online sports and casino betting have exploded in Brazil to make it one of the largest gambling markets in the world. The self-help group Gamblers Anonymous says it's receiving thousands of calls each month and millions of Brazilians are estimated be suffering financial, emotional or relationship problems as a result of betting.

Camilla Mota talks to football fans in Sao Paulo on why they’re gambling on their team’s result. She also speaks to a man who gambled away $75, 000 on a corporate credit card over just one weekend and a businesswoman who locked herself in the toilet of her family home in order to bet in secret. Camilla also meets two psychiatrists offering treatment to addicts at a special clinic. What can be done to protect problem gamblers while at the same time avoid driving legal gambling underground?

Produced by Bob Howard
Studio mix: Neva Missirian
Production coordinator: Gemma Ashman
Editor: Penny Murphy

(Image: Casino. Credit: John Lamb via Getty)

SUN 23:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bjflm)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

SUN 23:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnm6svvmw)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

SUN 23:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy6sw0)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

SUN 23:32 The Fifth Floor (w3ct8sqy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:32 today]

MONDAY 31 AUGUST 2026

MON 00:00 BBC News (w1730nksk5bjkbr)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 00:06 From Our Own Correspondent (w3ct99cf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:06 on Sunday]

MON 00:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nllzwy6xm4)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

MON 00:32 BBC Inside Science (w3ct9782)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 on Sunday]

MON 01:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmnjc1)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 01:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh2zyd9)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

MON 01:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57bwmf)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

MON 01:32 Discovery (w3ct8jst)
Women Not Included: Urban Planning

On every street corner, at every bus stop, in every public toilet the message is clear: this city is not built for women.

Along with journalist Chhavi Sachdev, Dr Ella Hubber explores how urban design often fails to reflect the realities of women’s lives. They unpack issues like why women spend longer queuing for toilets, how safety concerns shape the way women move through cities, and why transport systems built around linear commutes fail those juggling care, work and home.

As awareness grows, they also ask what change can look like. More inclusive planning, policies shaped by lived experience, and cities finally designed to work for everyone.

Presenter/producer: Ella Hubber
Researcher: Elliott Prince
Editor: Ilan Goodman

MON 02:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmnn35)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 02:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh3024f)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

MON 02:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57c0ck)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

MON 02:32 CrowdScience (w3ct8k7c)
How do electric fish make electricity?

Some fish can deliver electric shocks that are four times more powerful than the electricity in your plug sockets at home. Crowdscience listener Mouhammed in Cameroon was stunned by this, so he charged us with finding out how they do it.

Presenter Caroline Steel heads to Bayreuth in Germany to meet some eels who have this amazing ability. Dr Stefan Schuster and Susanne Proschke introduce us to their collection of electric fish, and help us conduct some experiments to work out how the fish are wired.

We’ll be diving into electric fishes' anatomy, learning how a specialised organ allows them to generate massive voltages of electricity, and we’ll discover how the design of a common household battery was inspired by them.

Harold Zakon from the University of Texas will help us understand their evolutionary history, while Brazilian ecologist Nonato Junior takes us on a journey into the currents of the Amazon River where electric eels live.

And we answer a question that has boggled philosophers, thinkers, and scientists for over 2000 years. If these fish can stun a human, a crocodile or even a horse, how do they survive the electric shocks themselves?

MON 03:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmnrv9)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 03:06 People Fixing The World (w3ct8t16)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:06 on Sunday]

MON 03:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57c43p)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

MON 03:32 The Fifth Floor (w3ct8sqy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:32 on Sunday]

MON 04:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmnwlf)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 04:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh309mp)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

MON 04:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57c7vt)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

MON 04:32 The Conversation (w3ct99nx)
Fertility in your 40s

Why does it become much harder for older women to become pregnant? And how does fertility treatment differ from one country to the next? Ella al-Shamahi finds out what women need to understand about their bodies.

Ella speaks to Sarah who underwent fertility treatment in India, Spain and Greece, before having her daughter. She is now a fertility advocate and writes under the name “Solo Fertility in Your 40s”.

She also talks to Dr Alison Campbell, a consultant embryologist and chief scientific officer of the Care Fertility Group and a fllow of the Royal College of Pathologists.

Presenter: Ella al-Shamahi
Producer: Hannah Sander

MON 05:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmp0bk)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 05:06 Newsday (w1730c1j97b82j9)
Live news, business and sport from around the world.

MON 06:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmp42p)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 06:06 Newsday (w1730c1j97b868f)
Live news, business and sport from around the world.

MON 07:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmp7tt)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 07:06 Newsday (w1730c1j97b8b0k)
Live news, business and sport from around the world.

MON 08:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmpcky)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 08:06 The Interview (w3ct8klp)
The Interview

Conversations with people shaping our world. The best interviews from the BBC.

MON 08:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57cqvb)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

MON 08:32 Business Daily (w3ct8gg8)
The daily drama of money and work from the BBC.

MON 08:50 Witness History (w3ct8r3s)
'I created the Star Wars toys'

In 1976, American toy designer Jim Swearingen was working at Kenner, a mid-sized company in the American Midwest.

When a script for a new film called Star Wars landed on his desk, Jim was intrigued. Larger toy companies had already passed on the chance to make the figures.

"It was difficult from the point of view that it was a movie, could be in and out of theater in weeks, maybe months," he said. "It was science fiction, and toy buyers at that time had been turned off to science fiction because they still had a lot of Star Trek on the shelf. And it was opening in May, which is completely counter to the toy business. We sold toys from September to December."

Jim tells Rowan Bridge how he persuaded his boss to take a chance on Star Wars, what it was like seeing the film for the first time, and about the doomed attempt to get the toys into shops before Christmas.

Witness History is a short BBC World Service podcast about history that takes you inside big moments from the past through first-hand testimony and archive. Each weekday, in around nine minutes, we revisit one moment that helped shape the world and hear it through the voice of someone who was there. Scientists, artists, campaigners, soldiers, leaders and everyday people tell their true stories.

When you subscribe to Witness History, you’ll be taken inside turning points in world affairs from West Africa’s fight back against Boko Haram in 2015 to the behind-closed-doors talks that led to the US-Cuba “thaw” and the surprise announcement of restored relations.

You’ll discover what it was like to experience disasters and how people recovered from them, including the Tabasco floods in Mexico, Portugal's worst train disaster, and the huge clean-up after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

You’ll explore culture and ideas too: Sweden’s Expedition Robinson, often credited as the first modern reality TV game show; the friendship between The Beatles’ George Harrison and Indian sitarist Ravi Shankar; and the night a tiger attack brought Las Vegas superstars Siegfried and Roy’s show to a sudden end.

And if you’re curious about inventions, we’ll tell you how air fryers, BlackBerry, YouTube, Alexa, GPS, superglue, the shopping cart (shopping trolley) and bubble tea were created.

If you’re new to Witness History, the appeal is simple: real voices, one strong true story, and a fresh way to understand today through events from history – all in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of tea or a walk around the block. Join millions of BBC World Service podcast listeners around the globe and enjoy the insight, context and detail Witness History will bring you.

MON 09:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmphb2)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 09:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh30xcb)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

MON 09:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57cvlg)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

MON 09:32 CrowdScience (w3ct8k7c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 02:32 today]

MON 10:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmpm26)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 10:06 The History Hour (w3ct99lm)
The History Hour

An hour of historical reporting told by the people who were there.

MON 11:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmpqtb)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 11:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh314vl)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

MON 11:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57d32q)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

MON 11:32 The Global Story (w3ct8mch)
The Global Story

.

MON 12:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmpvkg)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 12:06 Outlook (w3ct8hxr)
Outlook

True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives.

MON 12:50 Witness History (w3ct8r3s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]

MON 13:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmpz9l)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 13:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh31dbv)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

MON 13:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57dbkz)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

MON 13:32 The Conversation (w3ct99nx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]

MON 14:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmq31q)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 14:06 Newshour (w1730bn5xrpqx8s)
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.

MON 15:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmq6sv)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 15:06 The Interview (w3ct8klp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]

MON 15:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57dl27)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

MON 15:32 Business Daily (w3ct8gg8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:32 today]

MON 15:50 World Business Express (w3ct8d3r)
World Business Express - Finance, economy and business news from BBC journalists around the world. The stories that matter: World Business Express brings you the essentials on the fast-changing global economy. What forces are driving the markets and industry? Hear unique insight from top CEOs, investors, economic thinkers and small business bosses.
From global trade, to oil and food prices and the rise of artificial intelligence, to the corporate crashes and standout entrepreneur start-ups, the BBC World Service brings you trusted reporting. We’ll explain how the top stories impact your own finances.

MON 16:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmqbjz)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 16:06 Outside Source (w1730c6jvr9f0dr)
2026/08/31 15:06 GMT

A vibrant account of the day’s events with explanation and reaction from those involved.

MON 17:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmqg93)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 17:06 Outside Source (w1730c6jvr9f44w)
2026/08/31 16:06 GMT

A vibrant account of the day’s events with explanation and reaction from those involved.

MON 18:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmql17)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 18:06 Outlook (w3ct8hxr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 today]

MON 18:50 Witness History (w3ct8r3s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]

MON 19:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmqpsc)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 19:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh323tm)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

MON 19:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57f21r)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

MON 19:32 Sport Today (w3ct8rkb)
2026/08/31 GMT

BBC sports correspondents tell the story behind today's top sporting news, with interviews and reports from across the world.

MON 20:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmqtjh)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 20:06 From Our Own Correspondent (w3ct99cf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:06 on Sunday]

MON 20:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57f5sw)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

MON 20:32 Discovery (w3ct8jsv)
Women not included: Artificial Intelligence

Dr Ella Hubber and journalist Katie Silver unpack how artificial intelligence is far from neutral, and why that matters. They speak to experts who reveal how some AI is trained with bad data and how this means it can often reflect the same inequalities found in society be that in voice assistants, hiring tools, or translation apps.

As awareness grows, they also ask what change can look like. Better training, better regulation, and the technologies shaping our future working fairly for everyone.

Presenter/producer: Ella Hubber
Researcher: Elliott Prince
Editor: Ilan Goodman

MON 21:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmqy8m)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 21:06 Newshour (w1730bn5xrprrhp)
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.

MON 22:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmr20r)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 22:06 The Interview (w3ct8klp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]

MON 22:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57ff94)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

MON 22:32 The Conversation (w3ct99nx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]

MON 23:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmr5rw)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

MON 23:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh32lt4)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

MON 23:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57fk18)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

MON 23:32 World Business Report (w3ct8fnf)
First broadcast 31/08/2026 21:32 GMT

The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.

TUESDAY 01 SEPTEMBER 2026

TUE 00:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmr9j0)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 00:06 The History Hour (w3ct99lm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:06 on Monday]

TUE 01:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmrf84)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 01:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh32v9d)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

TUE 01:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57fsjj)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

TUE 01:32 The Global Story (w3ct8mch)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:32 on Monday]

TUE 02:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmrk08)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 02:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh32z1j)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

TUE 02:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57fx8n)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

TUE 02:32 Assignment (w3ct8h1m)
Investigations and journeys into the heart of global events from BBC correspondents.

TUE 03:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmrnrd)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 03:06 Outlook (w3ct8hxr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 on Monday]

TUE 03:50 Witness History (w3ct8r3s)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Monday]

TUE 04:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmrshj)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 04:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh336js)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

TUE 04:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57g4rx)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

TUE 04:32 In the Studio (w3ct8l5r)
Steve Levine: Revisiting the Beach Boys

Steve Levine is a multi-award winning British record producer, who has produced albums for stars ranging from Deniece Williams to Gary Moore, Ziggy Marley and Quarterflash. He was also the producer of Culture Club’s first three multi-platinum selling albums from the 1980s.

In 1984 Steve won Producer of the Year at The Brit Awards, and in 1988 he won a Grammy for his work with Deniece Williams.

We join Steve as he as he unearths the master tapes of The Beach Boys' self-titled 1985 album, which he originally produced, and undertakes the painstaking process of remixing the music for a forthcoming re-release. The original album was the band’s first to be recorded digitally, and featured guest musicians Ringo Starr and Stevie Wonder, plus a track written by Boy George and Roy Hay of Culture Club.

Lewis Borg-Cardona joins Steve to examine his creative process, as the former Culture Club producer accesses individual tracks from the original London and Los Angeles session tapes. Forty years later, armed with new technology, Steve is able to transform the sonic quality via equipment that wasn’t available for the original sessions.

Lewis also hears Steve reminisce with Culture Club guitarist Roy Hay, and there are also contributions from the late Brian Wilson, Boy George, original session player Julian Lindsay, producer Carmen Rizzo and former Beach Boys manager Jerry Schilling, as well as original band members Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston.

Producer: Lewis Borg-Cardona

A Magnum Opus Broadcasting production for the BBC World Service

Image: Steve Levine in the recording studio (Credit: Steve Levine)

TUE 05:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmrx7n)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 05:06 Newsday (w1730c1j97bbzfd)
Live news, business and sport from around the world.

TUE 06:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfms0zs)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 06:06 Newsday (w1730c1j97bc35j)
Live news, business and sport from around the world.

TUE 07:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfms4qx)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 07:06 Newsday (w1730c1j97bc6xn)
Live news, business and sport from around the world.

TUE 08:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfms8h1)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 08:06 People Fixing The World (w3ct8t17)
Fighting the Silent Killer

Presenter Becky Green lost one of her twins to sepsis in 2018. Eight years on she meets the doctors, scientists and campaigners reimagining how we prevent, detect and treat this silent killer. Every year sepsis claims more lives than breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined, yet it too often goes unrecognised until it is too late - from a Madrid hospital whose dedicated sepsis code programme has demonstrably cut patient mortality, to a landmark study across sixty hospitals in Malawi and Uganda working to protect mothers from infection, Becky uncovers the breakthroughs bringing hope to families worldwide.

An Audio Always production.

TUE 08:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57gmrf)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

TUE 08:32 Business Daily (w3ct8gr9)
Business Daily

The daily drama of money and work from the BBC.

TUE 08:50 Witness History (w3ct986b)
Making Turkish Star Wars

When the set fell apart for an ambitious cinematic space opera that was produced on a characteristically small Turkish budget, nationally famed director Çetin İnanç had to think fast to save his film.

What resulted was a domestic hit in 1982, originally called The Man Who Saves the World. Now known as Turkish Star Wars, it's a production regularly referenced as the worst movie ever made.

Louis Harnett O'Meara uses an archival interview with İnanç, originally recorded by Turkish movie historian Ali Murat Güven in 2018, to tell the story of a classic in Turkish Copy Cinema - a genre that has faded since copyright laws in Turkey have become more rigorously applied.

Presented by Louis Harnett O’Meara and produced by Hunter Charlton. An Ember production.

Witness History is a short BBC World Service podcast about history that takes you inside big moments from the past through first-hand testimony and archive. Each weekday, in around nine minutes, we revisit one moment that helped shape the world and hear it through the voice of someone who was there. Scientists, artists, campaigners, soldiers, leaders and everyday people tell their true stories.

When you subscribe to Witness History, you’ll be taken inside turning points in world affairs from West Africa’s fight back against Boko Haram in 2015 to the behind-closed-doors talks that led to the US-Cuba “thaw” and the surprise announcement of restored relations.

You’ll discover what it was like to experience disasters and how people recovered from them, including the Tabasco floods in Mexico, Portugal's worst train disaster, and the huge clean-up after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

You’ll explore culture and ideas too: Sweden’s Expedition Robinson, often credited as the first modern reality TV game show; the friendship between The Beatles’ George Harrison and Indian sitarist Ravi Shankar; and the night a tiger attack brought Las Vegas superstars Siegfried and Roy’s show to a sudden end.

And if you’re curious about inventions, we’ll tell you how air fryers, BlackBerry, YouTube, Alexa, GPS, superglue, the shopping cart (shopping trolley) and bubble tea were created.

If you’re new to Witness History, the appeal is simple: real voices, one strong true story, and a fresh way to understand today through events from history – all in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of tea or a walk around the block. Join millions of BBC World Service podcast listeners around the globe and enjoy the insight, context and detail Witness History will bring you.

(Photo: Turkish Star Wars movie poster. Credit: Graham Humphreys)

TUE 09:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmsd75)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 09:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh33t8f)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

TUE 09:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57grhk)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

TUE 09:32 Assignment (w3ct8h1m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 02:32 today]

TUE 10:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmshz9)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 10:06 The Arts Hour (w3ct8h8d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 20:06 on Saturday]

TUE 11:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmsmqf)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 11:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh341rp)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

TUE 11:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57gzzt)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

TUE 11:32 The Global Story (w3ct8mj0)
The Global Story

.

TUE 12:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmsrgk)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 12:06 Outlook (w3ct8jc9)
Outlook

True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives.

TUE 12:50 Witness History (w3ct986b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]

TUE 13:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmsw6p)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 13:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh3497y)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

TUE 13:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57h7h2)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

TUE 13:32 In the Studio (w3ct8l5r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]

TUE 14:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmszyt)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 14:06 Newshour (w1730bn5xrptt5w)
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.

TUE 15:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmt3py)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 15:06 People Fixing The World (w3ct8t17)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]

TUE 15:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57hgzb)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

TUE 15:32 Business Daily (w3ct8gr9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:32 today]

TUE 15:50 World Business Express (w3ct8d88)
World Business Express - Finance, economy and business news from BBC journalists around the world. The stories that matter: World Business Express brings you the essentials on the fast-changing global economy. What forces are driving the markets and industry? Hear unique insight from top CEOs, investors, economic thinkers and small business bosses.
From global trade, to oil and food prices and the rise of artificial intelligence, to the corporate crashes and standout entrepreneur start-ups, the BBC World Service brings you trusted reporting. We’ll explain how the top stories impact your own finances.

TUE 16:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmt7g2)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 16:06 Outside Source (w1730c6jvr9hx9v)
2026/09/01 15:06 GMT

A vibrant account of the day’s events with explanation and reaction from those involved.

TUE 17:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmtc66)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 17:06 Outside Source (w1730c6jvr9j11z)
2026/09/01 16:06 GMT

A vibrant account of the day’s events with explanation and reaction from those involved.

TUE 18:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmtgyb)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 18:06 Outlook (w3ct8jc9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 today]

TUE 18:50 Witness History (w3ct986b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]

TUE 19:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmtlpg)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 19:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh350qq)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

TUE 19:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57hyyv)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

TUE 19:32 Sport Today (w3ct8rpv)
2026/09/01 GMT

BBC sports correspondents tell the story behind today's top sporting news, with interviews and reports from across the world.

TUE 20:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmtqfl)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 20:06 Assignment (w3ct8h1m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 02:32 today]

TUE 20:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57j2pz)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

TUE 20:32 Tech Life (w3ct8jyc)
Tech Life discovers and explains the ways technology is changing our lives, wherever we are in the world.

TUE 21:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmtv5q)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 21:06 Newshour (w1730bn5xrpvnds)
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.

TUE 22:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmtyxv)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 22:06 People Fixing The World (w3ct8t17)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]

TUE 22:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57jb67)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

TUE 22:32 In the Studio (w3ct8l5r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]

TUE 23:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmv2nz)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

TUE 23:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh35hq7)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

TUE 23:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57jfyc)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

TUE 23:32 World Business Report (w3ct8fsy)
First broadcast 01/09/2026 21:32 GMT

The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.

WEDNESDAY 02 SEPTEMBER 2026

WED 00:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmv6f3)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 00:06 The Arts Hour (w3ct8h8d)
[Repeat of broadcast at 20:06 on Saturday]

WED 01:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmvb57)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 01:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh35r6h)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

WED 01:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57jpfm)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

WED 01:32 The Global Story (w3ct8mj0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:32 on Tuesday]

WED 02:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmvfxc)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 02:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh35vym)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

WED 02:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57jt5r)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

WED 02:32 The Climate Question (w3ct99hy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:06 on Sunday]

WED 03:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmvknh)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 03:06 Outlook (w3ct8jc9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 on Tuesday]

WED 03:50 Witness History (w3ct986b)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Tuesday]

WED 04:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmvpdm)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 04:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh363fw)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

WED 04:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57k1p0)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

WED 04:32 Good Bad Billionaire (w3ct9bc5)
Luana Lopes Lara: Prediction market payout

Luana Lopes Lara, the co-founder of prediction market platform Kalshi, went from the Bolshoi ballet school in Brazil to becoming the world’s youngest female self-made billionaire.

BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng explain how - in today's online world - literally anything can become a tradeable asset. Thanks to early investment, Luana Lopes Lara and her business partner Tarek Mansour convinced US regulators that making bets on real-world events was a form of trading rather than gambling.

Good Bad Billionaire is the podcast that explores the lives of the super-rich and famous, tracking their wealth, philanthropy, business ethics, and success. There are leaders who made their money in Silicon Valley, on Wall Street and in high street fashion. From iconic celebrities and CEOs to titans of technology, the podcast unravels tales of fortune, power, economics, ambition and moral responsibility. Simon and Zing put their subjects to the test with a playful, totally unscientific scorecard — then hand the verdict over to you: are they good, bad, or simply billionaires? Here's how to contact the team: email goodbadbillionaire@bbc.com or send a text or WhatsApp to +1 (917) 686-1176. Find out more about the show and read our privacy notice at bbcworldservice.com/goodbadbillionaire.

WED 05:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmvt4r)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 05:06 Newsday (w1730c1j97bfwbh)
Live news, business and sport from around the world.

WED 06:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmvxww)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 06:06 Newsday (w1730c1j97bg02m)
Live news, business and sport from around the world.

WED 07:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmw1n0)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 07:06 Newsday (w1730c1j97bg3tr)
Live news, business and sport from around the world.

WED 08:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmw5d4)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 08:06 The Interview (w3ct98hc)
The Interview

Conversations with people shaping our world. The best interviews from the BBC.

WED 08:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57kjnj)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

WED 08:32 Business Daily (w3ct98sd)
Business Daily

The daily drama of money and work from the BBC.

WED 08:50 Witness History (w3ct988l)
‘Genius’ sci-fi writer Octavia E Butler

In 1995, Octavia E Butler became the first author to receive a MacArthur “genius” award for science fiction writing.

From a young age she dreamed of writing books, but faced many challenges, including poverty, sexism and racism in the publishing industry.

Her sci-fi books are now taught in schools and universities across the United States.

She died aged 58 in 2006. Her friend Nisi Shawl spoke to Alex Collins in 2023.

Witness History is a short BBC World Service podcast about history that takes you inside big moments from the past through first-hand testimony and archive. Each weekday, in around nine minutes, we revisit one moment that helped shape the world and hear it through the voice of someone who was there. Scientists, artists, campaigners, soldiers, leaders and everyday people tell their true stories.

When you subscribe to Witness History, you’ll be taken inside turning points in world affairs from West Africa’s fight back against Boko Haram in 2015 to the behind-closed-doors talks that led to the US-Cuba “thaw” and the surprise announcement of restored relations.

You’ll discover what it was like to experience disasters and how people recovered from them, including the Tabasco floods in Mexico, Portugal's worst train disaster, and the huge clean-up after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

You’ll explore culture and ideas too: Sweden’s Expedition Robinson, often credited as the first modern reality TV game show; the friendship between The Beatles’ George Harrison and Indian sitarist Ravi Shankar; and the night a tiger attack brought Las Vegas superstars Siegfried and Roy’s show to a sudden end.

And if you’re curious about inventions, we’ll tell you how air fryers, BlackBerry, YouTube, Alexa, GPS, superglue, the shopping cart (shopping trolley) and bubble tea were created.

If you’re new to Witness History, the appeal is simple: real voices, one strong true story, and a fresh way to understand today through events from history – all in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of tea or a walk around the block. Join millions of BBC World Service podcast listeners around the globe and enjoy the insight, context and detail Witness History will bring you.

(Photo: Mural depicting Octavia Butler. Credit: The Washington Post/Getty Images)

WED 09:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmw948)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 09:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh36q5j)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

WED 09:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57kndn)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

WED 09:32 The Climate Question (w3ct99hy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:06 on Sunday]

WED 10:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmwdwd)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 10:06 The Documentary (w3ct9btg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 on Saturday]

WED 11:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmwjmj)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 11:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh36yns)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

WED 11:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57kwwx)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

WED 11:32 The Global Story (w3ct8ml8)
The Global Story

.

WED 12:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmwncn)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 12:06 Outlook (w3ct8jl2)
Outlook

True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives.

WED 12:50 Witness History (w3ct988l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]

WED 13:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmws3s)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 13:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh37651)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

WED 13:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57l4d5)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

WED 13:32 Good Bad Billionaire (w3ct9bc5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]

WED 14:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmwwvx)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 14:06 Newshour (w1730bn5xrpxq2z)
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.

WED 15:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmx0m1)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 15:06 The Interview (w3ct98hc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]

WED 15:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57lcwf)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

WED 15:32 Business Daily (w3ct98sd)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:32 today]

WED 15:50 World Business Express (w3ct8dbj)
World Business Express - Finance, economy and business news from BBC journalists around the world. The stories that matter: World Business Express brings you the essentials on the fast-changing global economy. What forces are driving the markets and industry? Hear unique insight from top CEOs, investors, economic thinkers and small business bosses.
From global trade, to oil and food prices and the rise of artificial intelligence, to the corporate crashes and standout entrepreneur start-ups, the BBC World Service brings you trusted reporting. We’ll explain how the top stories impact your own finances.

WED 16:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmx4c5)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 16:06 Outside Source (w1730c6jvr9lt6y)
2026/09/02 15:06 GMT

A vibrant account of the day’s events with explanation and reaction from those involved.

WED 17:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmx839)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 17:06 Outside Source (w1730c6jvr9lxz2)
2026/09/02 16:06 GMT

A vibrant account of the day’s events with explanation and reaction from those involved.

WED 18:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmxcvf)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 18:06 Outlook (w3ct8jl2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 today]

WED 18:50 Witness History (w3ct988l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]

WED 19:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmxhlk)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 19:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh37xmt)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

WED 19:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57lvvy)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

WED 19:32 Sport Today (w3ct8rs3)
2026/09/02 GMT

BBC sports correspondents tell the story behind today's top sporting news, with interviews and reports from across the world.

WED 20:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmxmbp)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 20:06 The Climate Question (w3ct99hy)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:06 on Sunday]

WED 20:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57lzm2)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

WED 20:32 Health Check (w3ct8k2w)
Health Check

Health issues and medical breakthroughs from around the world.

WED 21:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmxr2t)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 21:06 Newshour (w1730bn5xrpyk9w)
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.

WED 22:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmxvty)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 22:06 The Interview (w3ct98hc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]

WED 22:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57m73b)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

WED 22:32 Good Bad Billionaire (w3ct9bc5)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]

WED 23:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmxzl2)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

WED 23:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh38dmb)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

WED 23:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57mbvg)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

WED 23:32 World Business Report (w3ct8fw6)
First broadcast 02/09/2026 21:32 GMT

The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.

THURSDAY 03 SEPTEMBER 2026

THU 00:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmy3b6)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 00:06 The Documentary (w3ct9btg)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 on Saturday]

THU 01:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmy72b)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 01:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh38n3l)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

THU 01:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57mlbq)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

THU 01:32 The Global Story (w3ct8ml8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:32 on Wednesday]

THU 02:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmybtg)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 02:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh38rvq)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

THU 02:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57mq2v)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

THU 02:32 The Documentary (w3ct9by6)
A23a: Biography of an Iceberg

Forty years ago A23a, an iceberg twice the size of Los Angeles broke off from the Antarctic ice shelf and began its journey into the Southern Ocean. As A23a reaches its final chapter, glaciologist Catherine Walker charts the life and death of a megaberg.

An Overcoat Media production.

THU 03:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmygkl)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 03:06 Outlook (w3ct8jl2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 on Wednesday]

THU 03:50 Witness History (w3ct988l)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Wednesday]

THU 04:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmyl9q)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 04:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh390bz)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

THU 04:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57myl3)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

THU 04:32 The Food Chain (w3ct8swh)
The Food Chain

The Food Chain examines the business, science and cultural significance of food, and what it takes to put food on your plate.

THU 05:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmyq1v)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 05:06 Newsday (w1730c1j97bjs7l)
Live news, business and sport from around the world.

THU 06:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmytsz)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 06:06 Newsday (w1730c1j97bjwzq)
Live news, business and sport from around the world.

THU 07:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmyyk3)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 07:06 Newsday (w1730c1j97bk0qv)
Live news, business and sport from around the world.

THU 08:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmz297)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 08:06 The Inquiry (w3ct98q4)
The Inquiry

The Inquiry gets beyond the headlines to explore the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world.

THU 08:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57nfkm)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

THU 08:32 Business Daily (w3ct8gls)
Business Daily

The daily drama of money and work from the BBC.

THU 08:50 Witness History (w3ct98bv)
The making of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

In 1982, audiences around the world fell in love with a gentle alien stranded on Earth and the young boy determined to help him get home. Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial became a global phenomenon and gave us one of cinema's most memorable lines, ‘E.T. phone home.’

Peter Coyote played Keys, the mysterious government agent on the trail of E.T., a role that became one of the film's most memorable characters.

More than four decades later, Peter tells Gill Kearsley about the making of the film, reliving his favourite memories from the set and reflecting on its enduring appeal. He also reveals that he wrote some of Keys' dialogue himself.

Witness History is a short BBC World Service podcast about history that takes you inside big moments from the past through first-hand testimony and archive. Each weekday, in around nine minutes, we revisit one moment that helped shape the world and hear it through the voice of someone who was there. Scientists, artists, campaigners, soldiers, leaders and everyday people tell their true stories.

When you subscribe to Witness History, you’ll be taken inside turning points in world affairs from West Africa’s fight back against Boko Haram in 2015 to the behind-closed-doors talks that led to the US-Cuba “thaw” and the surprise announcement of restored relations.

You’ll discover what it was like to experience disasters and how people recovered from them, including the Tabasco floods in Mexico, Portugal's worst train disaster, and the huge clean-up after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

You’ll explore culture and ideas too: Sweden’s Expedition Robinson, often credited as the first modern reality TV game show; the friendship between The Beatles’ George Harrison and Indian sitarist Ravi Shankar; and the night a tiger attack brought Las Vegas superstars Siegfried and Roy’s show to a sudden end.

And if you’re curious about inventions, we’ll tell you how air fryers, BlackBerry, YouTube, Alexa, GPS, superglue, the shopping cart (shopping trolley) and bubble tea were created.

If you’re new to Witness History, the appeal is simple: real voices, one strong true story, and a fresh way to understand today through events from history – all in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of tea or a walk around the block. Join millions of BBC World Service podcast listeners around the globe and enjoy the insight, context and detail Witness History will bring you.

(Photo: On the set of "E.T.". Credit: Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)

THU 09:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmz61c)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 09:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh39m2m)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

THU 09:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57nk9r)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

THU 09:32 The Documentary (w3ct9by6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 02:32 today]

THU 10:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmz9sh)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 10:06 The Explanation (w3ct98mw)
The Media Show

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.

THU 10:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57np1w)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

THU 10:32 The Global Jigsaw (w3ct9b07)
Ukraine's 'hell jumpers'

The rescuers who dodge drones and bombs to evacuate from frontline areas in Ukraine, known as the “kill zone”. More than four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, thousands of civilians still live dangerously close to active combat zones. Getting them to safety requires powers of persuasion, knowledge of warfare, and nerves of steel. In this episode, we explore how volunteer evacuation efforts of civilians in eastern Ukraine have evolved throughout the war, and how rescuers continue to adapt to an increasingly hostile and unpredictable battlefield.

Find out more about BBC Monitoring on our website: https://monitoring.bbc.co.uk

Contributors: Vitaly Shevchenko
Producer: Kriszta Satori, Tim Bowler
Presenter: Krassi Ivanova Twigg
Music: Pete Cunningham

THU 11:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmzfjm)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 11:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh39vkw)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

THU 11:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57nst0)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

THU 11:32 The Global Story (w3ct8mfr)
The Global Story

.

THU 12:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmzk8r)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 12:06 Outlook (w3ct8j4j)
Outlook

True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives.

THU 12:50 Witness History (w3ct98bv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]

THU 13:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmzp0w)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 13:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh3b324)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

THU 13:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57p198)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

THU 13:32 The Food Chain (w3ct8swh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]

THU 14:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmzss0)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 14:06 Newshour (w1730bn5xrq0m02)
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.

THU 15:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfmzxj4)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 15:06 The Inquiry (w3ct98q4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]

THU 15:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57p8sj)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

THU 15:32 Business Daily (w3ct8gls)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:32 today]

THU 15:50 World Business Express (w3ct8d60)
World Business Express - Finance, economy and business news from BBC journalists around the world. The stories that matter: World Business Express brings you the essentials on the fast-changing global economy. What forces are driving the markets and industry? Hear unique insight from top CEOs, investors, economic thinkers and small business bosses.
From global trade, to oil and food prices and the rise of artificial intelligence, to the corporate crashes and standout entrepreneur start-ups, the BBC World Service brings you trusted reporting. We’ll explain how the top stories impact your own finances.

THU 16:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn0188)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 16:06 Outside Source (w1730c6jvr9pq41)
2026/09/03 15:06 GMT

A vibrant account of the day’s events with explanation and reaction from those involved.

THU 17:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn050d)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 17:06 Outside Source (w1730c6jvr9ptw5)
2026/09/03 16:06 GMT

A vibrant account of the day’s events with explanation and reaction from those involved.

THU 18:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn08rj)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 18:06 Outlook (w3ct8j4j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 today]

THU 18:50 Witness History (w3ct98bv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]

THU 19:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn0dhn)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 19:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh3btjx)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

THU 19:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57prs1)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

THU 19:32 Sport Today (w3ct8rml)
2026/09/03 GMT

BBC sports correspondents tell the story behind today's top sporting news, with interviews and reports from across the world.

THU 20:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn0j7s)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 20:06 The Documentary (w3ct9by6)
[Repeat of broadcast at 02:32 today]

THU 20:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57pwj5)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

THU 20:32 BBC Inside Science (w3ct9783)
BBC Inside Science

A weekly show exploring science, its mysteries, and the debates it sparks.

THU 21:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn0mzx)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 21:06 Newshour (w1730bn5xrq1g6z)
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.

THU 22:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn0rr1)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 22:06 The Inquiry (w3ct98q4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]

THU 22:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57q40f)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

THU 22:32 The Food Chain (w3ct8swh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]

THU 23:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn0wh5)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

THU 23:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh3c9jf)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

THU 23:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57q7rk)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

THU 23:32 World Business Report (w3ct8fqp)
First broadcast 03/09/2026 21:32 GMT

The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.

FRIDAY 04 SEPTEMBER 2026

FRI 00:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn1079)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 00:06 The Explanation (w3ct98mw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:06 on Thursday]

FRI 00:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57qchp)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

FRI 00:32 Happy News (w3ct8nww)
[Repeat of broadcast at 14:32 on Sunday]

FRI 01:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn13zf)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 01:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh3ck0p)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

FRI 01:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57qh7t)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

FRI 01:32 The Global Story (w3ct8mfr)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:32 on Thursday]

FRI 02:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn17qk)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 02:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh3cnrt)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

FRI 02:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57qlzy)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

FRI 02:32 Tech Life (w3ct8jyc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 20:32 on Tuesday]

FRI 03:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn1cgp)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 03:06 Outlook (w3ct8j4j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 on Thursday]

FRI 03:50 Witness History (w3ct98bv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 on Thursday]

FRI 04:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn1h6t)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 04:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh3cx82)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

FRI 04:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57qvh6)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

FRI 04:32 Heart and Soul (w3ct9842)
Fred Hammond

Fred Hammond has a career that spans over 40 years, from playing bass in The Winans to his hits with his group ‘Radical for Christ’ to more recently his Tiny Desk Concert. He’s a giant of the Gospel music genre with 15 Grammy awards to his name.

Gospel fan and radio presenter Swarzy Shire wants to learn more about the man behind the music and how his faith has kept inspiring that music.
Fred has faced highs and lows publicly from his divorce and the impact on his family, to his physical suffering with multiple knee operations and a fall from stage two years ago. He shares with Swarzy how his faith and music have helped him overcome the painful periods in his life.

[Photo Description: Fred Hammond, Photo Credit: Matty Otty]

Presenter: Swarzy Shire
Producer: Miriam Williamson
Production Coordinator: Mica Nepomuceno

FRI 05:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn1lyy)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 05:06 Newsday (w1730c1j97bmp4p)
Live news, business and sport from around the world.

FRI 06:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn1qq2)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 06:06 Newsday (w1730c1j97bmswt)
Live news, business and sport from around the world.

FRI 07:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn1vg6)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 07:06 Newsday (w1730c1j97bmxmy)
Live news, business and sport from around the world.

FRI 08:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn1z6b)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 08:06 The Interview (w3ct98km)
The Interview

Conversations with people shaping our world. The best interviews from the BBC.

FRI 08:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57rbgq)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

FRI 08:32 Business Daily (w3ct8g9r)
Business Daily

The daily drama of money and work from the BBC.

FRI 08:50 Witness History (w3ct98f3)
Star Trek: America's first interracial TV kiss

In 1968, American television boldly went where it had never gone before, broadcasting what's claimed to be the country's first interracial kiss.

The moment of passion was between Captain Kirk of the starship USS Enterprise and communications officer Lieutenant Uhura, in Star Trek.

Nichelle Nichols played Uhura in the cult series, and she was one of the first black women to be featured on American TV in a non-subservient role.

Through archive BBC interviews, Nichelle explains the story behind that famous scene. Produced and presented by Reena Stanton-Sharma.

Witness History is a short BBC World Service podcast about history that takes you inside big moments from the past through first-hand testimony and archive. Each weekday, in around nine minutes, we revisit one moment that helped shape the world and hear it through the voice of someone who was there. Scientists, artists, campaigners, soldiers, leaders and everyday people tell their true stories.

When you subscribe to Witness History, you’ll be taken inside turning points in world affairs from West Africa’s fight back against Boko Haram in 2015 to the behind-closed-doors talks that led to the US-Cuba “thaw” and the surprise announcement of restored relations.

You’ll discover what it was like to experience disasters and how people recovered from them, including the Tabasco floods in Mexico, Portugal's worst train disaster, and the huge clean-up after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

You’ll explore culture and ideas too: Sweden’s Expedition Robinson, often credited as the first modern reality TV game show; the friendship between The Beatles’ George Harrison and Indian sitarist Ravi Shankar; and the night a tiger attack brought Las Vegas superstars Siegfried and Roy’s show to a sudden end.

And if you’re curious about inventions, we’ll tell you how air fryers, BlackBerry, YouTube, Alexa, GPS, superglue, the shopping cart (shopping trolley) and bubble tea were created.

If you’re new to Witness History, the appeal is simple: real voices, one strong true story, and a fresh way to understand today through events from history – all in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of tea or a walk around the block. Join millions of BBC World Service podcast listeners around the globe and enjoy the insight, context and detail Witness History will bring you.

(Photo: Nichelle Nichols as Lieutenant Uhura in Star Trek in 1967. Credit: CBS via Getty Images)

FRI 09:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn22yg)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 09:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh3dhzq)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

FRI 09:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57rg6v)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

FRI 09:32 BBC Inside Science (w3ct9783)
[Repeat of broadcast at 20:32 on Thursday]

FRI 10:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn26pl)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 10:06 Unexpected Elements (w3ct8kcx)
Unexpected Elements

The news you know, the science you don’t. Unexpected Elements looks beyond everyday narratives to discover a goldmine of scientific stories and connections from around the globe. From Afronauts, to why we argue, to a deep dive on animal lifespans: see the world in a new way with Unexpected Elements.

FRI 11:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn2bfq)
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FRI 11:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh3drgz)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

FRI 11:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57rpq3)
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FRI 11:32 The Global Story (w3ct8m97)
The Global Story

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FRI 12:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn2g5v)
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FRI 12:06 Outlook (w3ct8hpz)
Outlook

True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives.

FRI 12:50 Witness History (w3ct98f3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]

FRI 13:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn2kxz)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 13:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh3dzz7)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

FRI 13:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57ry6c)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

FRI 13:32 Heart and Soul (w3ct9842)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]

FRI 14:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn2pp3)
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FRI 14:06 Newshour (w1730bn5xrq3hx5)
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.

FRI 15:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn2tf7)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 15:06 The Interview (w3ct98km)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]

FRI 15:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57s5pm)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

FRI 15:32 Business Daily (w3ct8g9r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:32 today]

FRI 15:50 World Business Express (w3ct8d1h)
World Business Express - Finance, economy and business news from BBC journalists around the world. The stories that matter: World Business Express brings you the essentials on the fast-changing global economy. What forces are driving the markets and industry? Hear unique insight from top CEOs, investors, economic thinkers and small business bosses.
From global trade, to oil and food prices and the rise of artificial intelligence, to the corporate crashes and standout entrepreneur start-ups, the BBC World Service brings you trusted reporting. We’ll explain how the top stories impact your own finances.

FRI 16:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn2y5c)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 16:06 Outside Source (w1730c6jvr9sm14)
2026/09/04 15:06 GMT

A vibrant account of the day’s events with explanation and reaction from those involved.

FRI 17:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn31xh)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 17:06 Outside Source (w1730c6jvr9sqs8)
2026/09/04 16:06 GMT

A vibrant account of the day’s events with explanation and reaction from those involved.

FRI 18:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn35nm)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 18:06 Outlook (w3ct8hpz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:06 today]

FRI 18:50 Witness History (w3ct98f3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:50 today]

FRI 19:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn39dr)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 19:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh3fqg0)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

FRI 19:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57snp4)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

FRI 19:32 Sport Today (w3ct8rh2)
2026/09/04 GMT

BBC sports correspondents tell the story behind today's top sporting news, with interviews and reports from across the world.

FRI 20:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn3f4w)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 20:06 BBC Conversations (w3ct8m43)
BBC Conversations

How major news stories are affecting the lives of people around the world

FRI 20:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57ssf8)
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FRI 20:32 CrowdScience (w3ct8k7d)
Why do I love rollercoasters?

Your heart pounds, your chest tightens, your stomach drops and your legs feel weak and shaky. Your palms are sweating and a tingling rush spreads through your arms and fingertips as your brain is overwhelmed with feelings of tension and fear. And yet, you’ve asked for this. You wanted to be on this ride, at this theme park, hurtling towards the ground at a frightening speed. But why?

An adrenaline rush is the body’s fight-or-flight response to intense fear, stress or excitement. It sends signals from the brain to the body, releasing hormones and redirecting the flow of blood around our veins. It’s designed to help us survive dangerous situations – so why would we deliberately want to put ourselves into those situations, just to feel the rush?

That’s the question from CrowdScience listener Gunnar, aged 11, in Washington State USA. He wants to know why we try and seek an adrenaline rush by doing wild and crazy things, and CrowdScience’s resident wild and crazy presenter Alex Lathbridge is on the case.

As well as testing Alex’s own flight-or-flight response to the absolute limit, we’ll be taking a roller coaster ride through the science of manufacturing the perfect rush.

FRI 21:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn3jx0)
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FRI 21:06 Newshour (w1730bn5xrq4c42)
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.

FRI 22:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn3nn4)
The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.

FRI 22:06 The Interview (w3ct98km)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:06 today]

FRI 22:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57t0xj)
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FRI 22:32 Heart and Soul (w3ct9842)
[Repeat of broadcast at 04:32 today]

FRI 23:00 BBC News (w1730nksxfn3sd8)
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FRI 23:06 The Newsroom (w1730bqnzh3g6fj)
The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen

FRI 23:30 BBC News Summary (w1730nlmc57t4nn)
The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.

FRI 23:32 World Business Report (w3ct8fl5)
First broadcast 04/09/2026 21:32 GMT

The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.