Evan is back with another series of The Bottom Line

Posted on 8 January 2026 • TV and radio

The popular OU/BBC radio series The Bottom Line takes to the airwaves for a new series from Thursday 8 January at 12.04pm on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds, bringing a weekly look at business, money tips and strategy.

Each week presenter and OU Honorary Graduate Evan Davis hosts the lively business discussion show and is joined by guests from across industry.

The nine-week series has been running for more than 10 years and the first episode of this new series will see Evan and guests discuss the tantalising topic of “what the UK is good at”. This will be followed by future programmes debating the Dotcom Bubble, the rise in airport lounges and Dynamic Pricing.

Dr Carmen Mal, Lecturer in Marketing in the Faculty of Business and Law is the academic consultant for the new series.

She said:

“The series will dive into a mix of topics and issues, ranging from those of broader interest such as Dynamic Pricing (changes in prices based on demand, market conditions etc., such as plane or train tickets) to topics of more specific interest such as The Dotcom Bubble.

“Various experts will be joining Evan Davis to explore such issues and provide you with their insights into these fascinating topics.”

Dr Mal’s research interests relate to marketing branding and consumer behaviour. Specifically, she looks at how companies can encourage public engagement with pressing societal issues (for example related to environmental issues or equality) and how they can drive change; how can companies contribute to individual consumer and societal wellbeing.

This series was commissioned by Broadcast and Partnerships and is supported by the Faculty of Business and Law, with particular relevance to: Q91 BA Business and Management, Master of Laws (LLM) and F61 MBA (Master of Business Administration)

• Commissioned by Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Director, Broadcast and Partnerships

• Academic Consultants: Dr Carmen Mal

• Media Fellow: Dr Sophie Doherty

• Broadcast Project Manager: Clair Robinson

• Supporting Online Content: Matthew Ray

Visit the Broadcast & Partnerships site OU Connect to view a handy guide to AI from the BBC’s tech editor Zoe Kleinman.