Over to You

In this episode of Over To You, we hear listener feedback about how they think the BBC World Service is reporting on the recent war in Iran. Plus, we find out how the World Service approaches reporting on global conflict in general, from protecting programme-makers and contributors in dangerous locations, to sharing sensitive content about war online.

The East Asia region, comprising of China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia and Taiwan, is undeniably a key player on the world stage. We go behind the scenes of The Fifth Floor, the programme that brings the news from the BBC World Service language services. We hear how people in Seoul are reacting to the comeback of BTS, the superstar South Korean boyband, whose first tour since 2022 kicks off in April. Hong Kong cinema has influenced film-makers around the world. For a recent In the Studio episode, film-maker Shan Ng followed Kwan Pun Leung, one of the cinematographers of the Hong Kong and 20th Century classic, In the Mood for Love. We hear what Shan learnt following a fellow film-maker and what surprised her about Kwan's process. In November 2025, the BBC World Service launched a new visualised podcast, Asia Specific. Presented by veteran journalist, Mariko Oi, it covers the Asia Pacific region, of which East Asia is part of. Mariko tells Qasa why a podcast for the region was essential and the stories they hope to cover. And finally, in February, the director general Tim Davie warning that the network would run out of funding if a deal was not agreed with the government. His warnings set the Over to You inbox alight with questions and concern. Qasa speaks with the head of the school of journalism, media and culture at Cardiff University, Dr Matt Walsh and explores what all this means for the World Service.

Social media has come a long way from a place where you just connect with family and friends. Qasa Alom looks at how the BBC World Service uses social media in investigations, how BBC output is promoted across social media platforms and how social media is covered on the network. Qasa speaks to Simi Jolaoso, the presenter and producer of the BBC Eye and World of Secrets podcast and documentary film The Child Cancer Scam. She tells us how her and the team used social media to find the face behind the scam. We speak to Jonathan Hill and Sara Lentati of the BBC World Service social media team. We hear their strategy for 2026 and why the World Service’s Instagram caption reads “Stories of wonder, nature, science, spirituality and incredible personal journeys from around the world.” The weekly programme Tech Life “discovers and explains the ways technology is changing our lives”. Qasa speaks to presenter Shiona McCallum about how the programme covers social media and holds the platforms accountable. Presenter: Qasa Alom Producer: Jill Achineku Executive producer: Robert Nicholson A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

Live broadcast has been part and parcel of radio since its inception. We go behind the scenes of BBC OS to hear how live radio is made daily on one of the flagship news programmes of the BBC World Service. Breaking news is fast moving, at one moment there is a vacuum of facts and the next a deluge, all of which must be packaged and presented to inform the public responsibly. Presenter Qasa Alom speaks to Danny Savage, BBC News Northern England correspondent, who reported live on location in the aftermath of the October 2025 Manchester synagogue attack. A familiar companion for radio sports fans is the voice of the commentator. Building plays word by word, adding colour, spitting stats and giving words to pure emotions, a live radio sporting event does not exist without commentary. Qasa speaks to BBC Sport commentator John Bennett, from Morocco where he is covering the Africa Cup of Nations. We also hear from listeners about their memories listening to live radio. Presenter: Qasa Alom Producers: Jill Achineku and Emily Uchida Finch A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

It is our annual Ask the Controller special with the boss of BBC World Service English Jon Zilkha in the studio to answer your questions. We also hear from listeners on what they have enjoyed on the BBC World Service in 2025. And what would they would like to hear more of in 2026.

With COP30 taking place, presenter Qasa Alom looks at how climate is covered on the network. She hears from listeners and speaks to Angus Foster, the BBC News climate and science lead. He explains how climate is prioritised when there are competing stories. The flagship climate programme for the BBC World Service, The Climate Question, launched its first visualised episode in November 2025. Anna Doble, the commissioning editor, talks to Qasa about how visualisation is helping the network reach a younger audience. And finally, Qasa speaks to Richard Kenny, a producer on People Fixing the World, about how the stories they cover help give listeners a “a sense of hope and agency that they can do something”. Presenter: Qasa Alom Producer: Jill Achineku Executive producer: Robert Nicholson A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

There is a new programme in the schedule, World Business Express. It has been on air for around six weeks and is a partial replacement for the now-decommissioned World Business Report. We hear listeners' comments and we are joined by its editor, Justin Bones. Plus, and after nigh-on a thousand editions of Over To You, this is the final edition hosted by Rajan Datar. He looks back on his nearly 20 years of airing your feedback and interviewing programme makers and BBC execs on your behalf. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

It’s been one of the biggest talking points in our inbox this summer, the launch of a new BBC app to replace Sounds for international listeners. Now it has launched, we hear what listeners make of it and find out how they are finding its everyday use. And BBC Studios, who developed the app, respond to what listeners are saying. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service

A recent Heart and Soul told the story of how a boy, Carlo Acutis, who died from cancer nearly 20 years ago has been declared a saint. We hear your feedback on this documentary and also from the show’s presenter, William Crawley. How did he approach this sensitive topic? Plus, major schedule changes are only two weeks away, we look at which WS shows are ending. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service

The World Service has launched a news sports show that it says will “tell the stories beyond the scoresheet”. We hear your views on whether More Than The Score will appeal to sports fans who are interested in the bigger picture. And we meet one of its presenters John Bennett plus the show’s producer, Jonathan McKeith. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

The Global Story has had a revamp and makeover. In a special edition, we examine the editorial changes and ask one of its presenters Tristan Redman and executive producer Annie Brown why the focus is now so emphatically on the US and its relationship with the world. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service

People Fixing The World is all about discovering the people and the projects trying to make the world a better place. But what qualifies a project to be on the programme and how much scrutiny is applied? We talk to presenter Myra Anubi and editor Jon Bithrey and hear what listeners make of the programme. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

World Book Club usually interviews authors about their work, with questions from the audience. But September’s edition featured an author who died nearly a century ago. We’re joined by presenter Harriet Gilbert to talk about the show's special episode on Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes. Will they do something similar with other deceased authors? Plus, already announced major programme changes will take effect soon, but listeners have already been in touch concerned about what’s happening with Business Matters. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon. A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service

We look at the Conversation, the weekly show that brings together two women from different cultures and talks about their paths to success. We hear listeners’ comments and feedback on recent episodes and we’re joined in the studio by one of the presenters Datshiane Navanayagam and its producer Jane Thurlow. Plus BBC Verify Live has launched a real-time live news feed. We want to invite your thoughts on this new service. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

We look at The Conversation, the weekly show that brings together two women from different cultures and talks about their paths to success. We hear listeners’ comments and feedback on recent episodes and we’re joined in the studio by one of the presenters Datshiane Navanayagam and its producer Jane Thurlow. Plus BBC Verify Live has launched a real-time live news feed. We want to invite your thoughts on this new service. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

“It launched like a rocket and landed like a plane!” Series three of “13 Minutes Presents” turns its attention to the Space Shuttle programme, beginning with the Columbia project in 1981. We hear your thoughts on this ten-part documentary and are joined by its presenter and producer. Plus a listener asks if Artificial Intelligence is dominating science and technology programmes, whilst another turns the spotlight onto its financial reporting. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

There is a new series of the podcast Untold Legends. This time the focus is one of Hollywood’s golden-age stars Hedy Lamarr. We hear your comments and speak to the show’s presenter. Plus, the annual BBC Global Audience Measure figures have been release. So what do they reveal about who is listening to what and where? Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

Part two of our conversation with a senior BBC executive about the switch from BBC Sounds to using a new BBC app and BBC.com for international listeners. Among the questions listeners ask is the subject of paying a subscription - might that give access to what used to be available before? And we get the definitive answer as to how to keep listening to the World Service now the switchover is complete. Plus a listener gives us his critique of the BBC Eye investigation The Battle for Bangladesh. Presenter Rajan Datar Producer Howard Shannon A Whistledown Production for the BBC World Service

For users outside the UK, the BBC Sounds app is now no longer available, as many of you have been in touch about. It's been replaced by a new BBC app. But how are you finding it? Is it user-friendly? And just why did Sounds end? We air your feedback and we’re joined by a senior executive, one of the team responsible for the switch. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

Are you suffering from Trump fatigue? That is too much of the US president on the BBC? A listener in the US told us last week how he is and it seems many of you agree. We are joined in the studio by head of journalism Simon Peeks to discuss the phenomenon. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service