Over to You

Young people have grown up with more ways of finding and consuming news than any generation before them. In this episode of Over To You, we look at the BBC World Service’s efforts to reach the next generation while continuing to serve its existing audience. Journalism and media students from around the world share their news habits, while BBC audience research reveals what younger people say they want from journalism. We hear about What in the World, a programme created with younger audiences in mind, and discover the changes BBC Swahili has made after almost 70 years of broadcasting.

Words, sounds and music all help create the pictures we imagine when we listen to the radio. We explore how World Service reporters and programme makers bring stories and places to life for listeners.

We hear how they use description and the sounds around them to make us feel part of a story, and how sound can transport us from the streets of Kansas City to the remote landscape of the Antarctic. We explore how sound can be shaped when the real world alone is not enough, and the role music plays in adding another dimension to a story. Plus, listeners share their views on the use of audio across the World Service.

What makes someone an expert, and how do BBC producers decide who has the right expertise to appear on air? In this episode of Over To You, we hear listeners’ views on who they trust and why. We go behind the scenes with The Engineers and CrowdScience to find out how programmes choose their contributors, and explore the editorial principles behind using experts on the BBC. Plus, as more of us encounter experts through TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, we ask how social media is changing who we see as an authority. We also speak to BBC Verify about how it assesses expertise and decides who and what audiences can trust.

The BBC’s recent announcement of substantial cuts across the organisation will affect World Service listeners, as three programmes face closure. We put your questions to Jon Zilkha, controller of BBC World Service English, and explore what the changes mean for audiences.

We also go behind the scenes at the Wimbledon Championships to discover how the World Service’s flagship sports programme, Sportsworld, prepares for an action-packed month of live sport.

Not by the Playbook explores the inspiring stories of athletes who have overcome adversity and achieved success in unconventional ways. Presenter Qasa Alom speaks to its presenter, Katie Smith, about how the programme reveals the human stories behind sporting achievements.

Presenter: Qasa Alom

From extraordinary personal stories with Outlook's Jo Fidgen, to Hollywood directors with Nikki Bedi, the interviews and interviewing you hear on the World Service are hugely varied. But what goes into finding the interviewees and preparing for the interview? When you are in the room, face-to-face with someone, how do you get the best out of your interviewee? Qasa also speaks to Ivana Davidovich, the host of the new World of Secrets podcast Searching for Soldier Dad, to explore how the interview process works in an investigative podcast series.

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

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

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.