The Open University

Rethinking our national and international issues

4 June 2025

If you’ve ever wondered how a major emerging national or international issue might play out through alternative solutions by decisionmakers, then check out The Open University/BBC radio series Rethink on BBC Radio 4. The OU’s Professor of Politics and International Studies Simon Usherwood was the consultant to programme makers for this third series that looks […]

Listen to the new season of radio series, Rare Earth

30 May 2025

Today at midday (30 May) the OU/BBC radio series, Rare Earth, returns with a fifth series with environmental journalist Tom Heap and physicist Helen Czerski on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. Rare Earth is a weekly podcast and radio show which digs into the biggest issues facing our planet. Each week, hosts Tom and […]

New series revels in the genius of Jane Austen

28 May 2025

If you love the feminine bonnets and bustles, handsome eligible young men and the haughty outrage of female chaperones in 18th century fiction then feast your eyes on the new docudrama Jane Austen, Rise of a Genius. The three-part Open University/BBC co-production, available on BBC iPlayer, coincides with the 250th year of Austen’s birth and […]

Wildlife lovers’ favourite, Springwatch, is back for its 20th season

23 May 2025

The ever-popular OU/BBC programme Springwatch is back with a brand new series, this time celebrating its 20th anniversary. Springwatch begins on 26th May at 8pm on BBC Two, with new episodes shown Mondays – Thursdays across the next three weeks. You can also catch up on episodes via BBC iPlayer. As Springwatch embarks on their […]

Powerful new OU/BBC documentary tells the story of the murder of George Floyd and the backlash that followed

20 May 2025

Airing on Wednesday 21st May on BBC Two at 9pm and BBC iPlayer, Blacklash: The Murder of George Floyd” tells the story of one of the most shocking and defining moments in modern history, one that not only exposed police brutality and birthed the Black Lives Matter movement, but also exposed deep divides in the […]

New Series of Inside Our Minds explores ADHD and Dyslexia

12 May 2025

A new series of the OU/BBC series ‘Inside Our Minds’ airs on Mon 12 May on BBC Two and iPlayer at 21:00 and from Weds 14 May on BBC Two Wales at 21:00 Following the success of the multi-award-winning first series ‘Inside Our Autistic Minds’, series two examines other forms of neurodivergence – ADHD and […]

How to navigate modern life – mental health and wellbeing programme

12 May 2025

Mental health and wellbeing are the subjects covered by The Open University/BBC co-production ‘Change Your Mind, Change Your Life’ which airs from Tuesday 13 May at 23:00 on BBC One and at 23:50 in Northern Ireland. All episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer from Tues 13 May. OU academics Professor Andreas Vossler and Professor […]

New series of Word of Mouth

8 May 2025

A new six-part OU/BBC radio series of Word of Mouth begins on Thursday, May 8th, and will air weekly at 15:30 on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. The series is presented by celebrated author Michael Rosen and explores the world of words and how we use them. In the first episode, Michael talks to […]

New series of Saving Lives in Cardiff

9 April 2025

A new six-part series of the OU/BBC co-production, Saving Lives in Cardiff, airs today, 9 April, at 9pm on both BBC One Wales and BBC Two. The new series follows the daily decisions made by clinicians at the Cardiff and Vale University Hospitals, as they seek to transform the lives of their patients in South […]

The Secret Genius of Modern Life returns for a new season

2 April 2025

Today (2 April) at 8pm, the OU / BBC series, The Secret Genius of Modern Life, returns with a third series. The fascinating programme unpacks the amazing science and mind-boggling innovation behind everyday objects. Professor Hannah Fry is our hammer-wielding, tech-savvy tour guide to the extraordinary stories behind everything from air fryers to roller coasters. […]

OU News

Category: TV and radio