2022-03-27
An amazing podcast being ruined by BBC Clowns
The BBC are aggressively pushing their own app in the podcast. The current podcast app works brilliantly already.
I really don’t need a random BBC app for one or two podcasts.
Updating
+24
#79 in Top Podcasts
+1
#9 in Top Podcasts > History
Description
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world.
Apple Podcasts: Customer Reviews
2022-03-24
Essential listening
Don’t listen to the detractors: this is just one of the best shows around. The specialist guests really know their stuff, and get the chance to share their enthusiasm. I have learned such a lot, both about things I thought I knew well (and in some cases have studied at degree level) and even things I had no interest in become fascinating and relevant. Open your mind and broaden your knowledge… it’s great.
2022-03-20
Gone dead
Used to post regularly but they seem to have gone dead now.
2022-03-19
Good podcast
But bad behaviour from the BBC for forcing people to their own app.
2022-03-09
Always excellent, but …..
Life is already complicated so why has the BBC deemed it necessary to delay sharing to non-BBC podcast providers for four weeks during which time it’s only available on BBC Sounds? Petty and doesn’t serve any listener benefit that I can think of, really tedious!
2022-03-04
Great show, manipulative behaviour by the BBC
Making each episode BBC Sounds-only for four weeks after release? Dealbreaker, I’m afraid.
Ironically I usually end up listening to it on BBC Sounds anyway, but following the podcast has alerted me to new episodes. Now that won’t happen. So I’ll probably listen to the show a lot less frequently.
I can see what the BBC’s reasoning is, but it’s manipulative behaviour which is disappointing to see in a public service broadcaster: prioritising their corporate goals over user experience.
2022-03-03
Great podcast, shame about the host.
Great topics and wonderfully informative and interesting guests, just a shame that I find some episodes almost unlistenable due to the awful way the presenter, Melvyn Bragg, speaks to (or rather sneers at) his guests.
2022-02-26
‘Entertaining’ 😉
‘Entertaining’ with many loosely based opinions,by many loosely based guests,but like I said earlier it’s still very ‘entertaining- as far as the star ratings concerned I’ll award 5 for entertainment- and only 2 for its factual content 😂
2021-12-23
Great
Bringing history and culture to everyone.Please do a programme on the Germans in Africa especially Namibia.
2021-12-15
History
Not really interested in history but find this podcast excellent listening when walking in the park. 😀😀😀
2021-12-13
I am an intellectual, but at the same time I am not very clever.
Crash course in culture.
I just want to pen a letter to Melvyn. X
(3pts for those that know)
2021-12-09
Its all on sounds
John every episode is available, listed under broad subject headings, on the IOT website which can be accessed directly, or through bbc sounds. Agree with your review btw
2021-11-18
A disappointment
I’ve tried very hard to like this programme but just can’t. I find Bragg’s imperious manner really grates with him constantly interrupting the guests when they’ve in full flow. He also seems to think he is incredibly witty and amusing. He isn’t. His attempt at humour is pretty lame in my opinion.
2021-11-17
Outstanding
This is the best radio program of all time
2021-10-13
Melvyn is a bawse
Melvyn is a bawseeeee
2021-09-07
Exemplar
The best radio broadcast and now podcast available. Brilliantly chaired by Melvyn the programme explores and explains a real panoply of topics: Rascals, Reverends,Revolutionaries, Despots, Discoverers, works of art, wars, inventions and teeth! Fabulous contributions from gifted academics and Simon brings the tea in at the end. What’s not too like!
2021-09-04
Interesting and deeper than average.
One of the very few factual shows that does not assume the audience is incapable of concentrating and understanding complex topics. That alone means it deserves a listen too.
2021-08-02
Excellent
This programme is outstanding. Various commenters here who complain about the presenter’s style vastly underestimate the work and ability that must be required to prepare for every show. Bragg effectively edits enough material for a small book every week. And it is no small feat to chair the discussion in a way that mostly lets the knowledge of the experts shine through, and to get it all done in 50 minutes (and seemingly in one take?). It’s a magnificent achievement and the archive is a true national treasure.
2021-08-01
A great concept, done well
It’s great to hear from academics, often working in obscure or highly specialised fields. The format brings them together and Melvyn Bragg gets them to say their pieces without arguing with each other: each person’s contribution adds to the previous one. This is a real skill. I like his questioning style, and how he keeps his contributors on- topic.
I enjoy all the episodes, a great series, thank you.
2021-07-21
Brilliant guests and format
… a shame the presenter consistently gets in the way interjecting his own opinions, rambling leading questions (history) or off topic digressions (sciences). The table thumps, talking over guests and passing the blame for errors “well it was in someone’s notes” spoil what would otherwise be a perfect weekly show
2021-06-25
Truly 5 Star
This show is always great. However the show on Shakespeare’s Sonnets was particularly wonderful. The three guests were so enthusiastic about their topic as to make it seem like we were eavesdropping on some BFFs chatting away together. Melvin was almost purring like a proud teacher.
Fantastic!
2021-06-22
Grumpy uncle
I like the grumpy dude who bosses the other dudes around
he’s funny whoever plays him
2021-06-17
Excellent
Fantastic show. Always interesting to hear expert insights on such diverse topics, and Melvyn Bragg is a brilliant host (and a fellow Cumbrian!)
2021-06-05
5 star
Alway fascinating and Bragg is a great host.
2021-05-30
Always excellent
I always find these podcasts both entertaining and informative. The range of topics and the quality of the guests is almost always excellent. Most of the time Melvyn steers the conversation well but occasionally you can hear that he got out the bed on the wrong side that morning. The “bonus material” can often be the most interesting part of the discussion.
2021-03-22
Gardener mike
I think you’ve cracked it Melvyn - entertainment in 50 minute parcels, every discussion brings something fresh to the day! Just marvellous 👏😁
2021-03-12
Fascinating deep dive into a broad range of topics
I love this show simply because it engages me in subjects not even on my radar. Bragg is abrupt but he keeps the conversation moving and I love his style.
2021-03-01
Amazing resource
Surely one of the best podcasts available. Always interesting to hear experts in their field (though I did find the contributors to the Marcus Aurelius episode much more irritating than usual).
2021-02-27
Braggs the Boy
Superb
2021-02-18
Phenomenal
Always thought provoking, intelligent and well organised. You have to get used to Bragg being a moody grandpa!
2021-01-02
Outstanding
I am still amazed that podcasts are still free this one is amazing when you get Melvyn plus three world class experts every episode.
How comes BBC podcasts are of such a wonderful standard and BBC tv is so poor it leaves me scratching my head sometimes.
2020-12-03
Utterly Superb - even on subjects I have no interest in.
Melvin Bragg is the perfect everyman (and woman) to inquire and explore any area and subject of art, literature, science, philosophy, history and beyond. It is an absolute joy to listen to every episode, even when the focus is on something way beyond my understanding or utterly outside my interest. The gathering of 3 top academics and experts on any single issue or focus and then developing their narrative on it, honing in on the crucial aspects with such a disciplinarian exactness, that he extracts the essentials for us all. Any subject is masterfully introduced by this truly phenomenal program. A friend of mine doesn’t like him because of his rather nasally, often turse approach but honestly, get beyond that - here is the universe opened in all its glory, just for your pleasure. Rivalry on the whole of the bbc perhaps only by Cert Matthews Sunday morning show on 6 music (another, can’t recommend highly enough program)
Both are WAY beyond just 5 stars
2020-11-23
Can stop listening to this!!
Really informative and entertaining, with great experts. I feel very lucky to have discovered this podcast.
2020-11-19
In our time
Love it so much an endless education. The whole series is a national treasure/archive. More !
2020-11-04
Great guests!
Great guests and topics! But the Bragg’s makes it almost unlistenable. He asks questions about things already covered and constantly interrupts on interesting points promising to come back to it but never does. If you manage to ignore Melvyn it’s a interesting listen
2020-08-14
Excellent style and content
My favourite podcast and in-car entertainment. A wonderfully diverse range of topics ranging from characters in history to the future of the Universe. Melvin’a guests provide a broad and expert insight into the subject, whilst Melvin, seemingly effortlessly, guides the discussion to explore it well. After each podcast I really feel that I have learnt something new and I have a good grasp of the subject.
2020-08-12
Absolutely love it
One of my favourite radio shows, definitely the best factual one. I love the subject matter range, it’s very varied and I enjoy how the content covers everything. I really enjoy Melvyn’s dulcet tones which are extremely soothing. I hope that new episodes are available soon, but there are so many to choose from that I won’t be running out any time in the near future.
2020-08-01
Not available
Lots of episodes are “Unavailable at this time”. Bugs in the system?
2020-07-26
Melvyn needs a voice coach
Odd that a person who makes his living from words finds it so difficult to read out loud.
It’s a great formula, but Bragg really needs to digests the notes he‘s given before each programme. On science matters particularly he is sometimes out of his depth and prone to interrupting a useful explanation before it’s complete, or lapsing into unhelpful comments like ‘That’s marvellous!’ or ‘Extraordinary’ rather than simply saying ‘I didn’t quite get that - could you explain it again please?’
2020-07-21
Rude Host
Enjoy the content but the host’s treatment of his guests is rude and at times borders on aggressive
2020-07-14
Superb
Bragg is a polymath and particularly good at keeping the show on topic. This isn’t to the taste of some listeners but vital in ensuring guests do not digress. Great show!
2020-07-07
Presenter past his prime
The content of In Our Time is brilliant. The format is excellent but is marred by Melvin Bragg’s decreased enunciation (he mumbles) and constant interruption of the guests speaking. If one can ignore those two issues, the programme is excellent.
2020-07-03
In Our Time
Too many repeats, otherwise excellent.
2020-06-28
Takes no prisoners
Excellent programme, aims high and makes no allowances for our ignorance, but I DO WISH Melvyn would not GABBLE so fast!
2020-06-26
Brilliant
Brilliant range of topics and quality of discussion. A real gem.
2020-05-29
Thanks
Love this program and the presenter. So educational. Keep it coming.
2020-05-27
This Programme is Important
This has to be one of the most wonderful, important programmes ever conceived. It should be kept as a record for the nation and I would love to see it part of the National Curriculum, there has to be time for a class to sit and listen to experts in their field discussing this vast array of learning.
2020-05-11
Simply brilliant!
I have listened to many IOT broadcasts. Whatever the topic they are interesting and engaging. I’ve never been disappointed. A wonderful idea brilliantly executed all the time.
2020-04-12
Why Put Repeats in the Main Feed?
I've got a perfectly good app for managing podcasts so I don't need you to put repeats in the feed. Yet another BBC podcast that I've unsubscribed from because of the way they treat listeners.
2020-03-26
Astonishing program
This is my favourite podcast. Fascinating stories and terrific experts grilled by Melvin Bragg in what is sometimes uncomfortable but always entertaining!
2006-01-17
Indispensible
This is probalby one of the most important radio series ever conceived. The content is not dumbed down - it is up to date, challenging and thought provoking. The whole series needs to be made available as a national treasure.
Actually here is a request (if anybody reads this) why can we not download all the programmes (since most of us only just got an ipod!) - would love to catch up.