Ted Hodgkinson, senior programmer for literature and spoken word at the Southbank Centre, and Fiona Sturges, critic for ‘The Guardian’, join Matt Alagiah to discuss what they’ve been reading and listening to. Plus we learn about the Italian music festival that inspired Eurovision.

We take a trip around Europe to discover some of the best exhibitions in Barcelona, Vienna and Milan this month with Ossian Ward, head of content at the Lisson gallery, and writer and curator Francesca Gavin. Plus: we don our gladrags and head to Austria for Vienna’s ball season.

With the nominees for the 90th Academy Awards announced this week, Ben Rylan and film critics Anna Smith and Tim Robey discuss their hopes for this year’s prizes. Plus: we find out how to show your film at Sundance without being officially selected and discover a brand new Vincent Van Gogh drawing in the Netherlands.

We discuss some of the week’s book releases with literary journalist Sarah Shaffi and Unbound founder John Mitchinson, and nip to São Paulo to discover the kiosk-cum-independent bookshop that has transformed its neighbourhood.

Robert Bound talks film and music with film critic Karen Krizanovich and broadcaster Baylen Leonard. Plus: we discuss the merits of a short story and head to Kenya for the global countdown.

Alice Vincent, arts and entertainment writer for ‘The Telegraph’ and Toby Earle, TV critic for ‘London Live’ and ‘The Evening Standard’, join Ben Rylan in the studio to discuss some of the UK shows hitting the small screen this month. Plus: podcast and radio critic Pete Naughton gives us his 2018 listening tips and we head to Latin America for this week’s Global Countdown.

Robert Bound is joined by broadcaster and DJ Georgie Rogers, publisher at Unbound John Mitchinson and film critic for ‘The Telegraph’ Tim Robey, who pick their 2017 highlights in music, literature and film.

Film critics Jason Solomons and Anna Smith join Ben Rylan in the studio to discuss the films out this December and some of their festive favourites.

We review art shows and new book releases with writer and curator Francesca Gavin and Ted Hodgkinson, senior programmer for literature and spoken word at the Southbank Centre. Plus: we meet Daniel Rezende, the Brazilian director of new film ‘Bingo’.

We discuss this month’s TV with Alice Vincent, arts and entertainment writer for ‘The Telegraph’ and discover what people around the world will be watching this Christmas. Plus theatre critic Matt Wolf gives us his take on some of London’s current shows on stage.