The Open University

How the age of steam changed lives forever

28 July 2016

We’re living in an age of massive technological change, yet more than 100 years ago the introduction of the steam railways caused an equally seismic change to life in Victorian Britain. Decades later, the enduring appeal of this golden age persists and is the subject of a new six-part BBC/OU co-production. Full Steam Ahead explores […]

Praise for ground-breaking OU/BBC series following refugees

12 July 2016

Last night saw the first episode of a new BBC2 series which follows the journeys of 70 refugees as they aim to leave conflict or persecution and make their way into Europe. Exodus: Our Journey to Europe was produced in partnership with The Open University, with three leading OU academics acting as consultants on the […]

Bettany at Berlin Wall - East-side Gallery

Meet the geniuses of the modern world in OU/BBC programme

16 June 2016

Three of the greatest minds of the modern world are explored in a three-part series, presented by broadcaster and historian, Bettany Hughes. Broadcast on BBC Four at 21:00 from Thursday 16 June 2016, Genius of the Modern World considers the lives of three men born in a 19th century world – a period dominated by […]

Meet the OU academics behind The Big C and Me TV series

3 June 2016

OU academics are often nominated to work as consultants on Open University TV and radio co-productions which align with their areas of professional expertise. But what does this mean? They’re nominated by their faculty to consult on co-productions and work closely with the programme makers throughout, advising on research topics, commenting on draft scripts, fact checking and providing […]

Who Really Rules Us? Programme ponders the EU question

18 May 2016

Presenter Jeremy Paxman will take TV viewers on a journey to the heart of the European Union in a one-off hour-long programme co-produced by BBC and The Open University. Called Paxman in Brussels: Who Really Rules Us? it will ask, quite simply: Have we handed over the power to rule the UK to Europe? And if […]

BAFTA success for OU documentary

11 May 2016

TV series The Hunt has scooped two awards at the prestigious BAFTAs. The haul of awards included two BAFTA Craft awards for Best Photography in a Factual Programme and Best Original Music and was nominated for a TV award for Best Specialist Factual programme. The critically acclaimed BBC nature documentary series was made in partnership […]

The Hairy Bikers (Si King & Dave Myers) at The Oxford Academy

New TV series: Old School with the Hairy Bikers

9 May 2016

The first episode of Old School with the Hairy Bikers, a new three-part OU/BBC series will broadcast at 9pm on Tuesday 10th May on BBC TWO at 9pm. The Hairy Bikers, otherwise known as Si King and Dave Myers, have a big new challenge. At a struggling school in Oxford, they are taking two groups – […]

Dementiaville scoops Learning on Screen Award

6 May 2016

The Open University and Channel 4 co-produced documentary series that explored a radical approach to dementia care has won the General Education Broadcast Award at the Learning on Screen Awards. Now in its 12th year, the Learning on Screen Awards is the UK’s only celebration of media production in learning, teaching and research. Held by the […]

Dame Judy Dench performance on Shakespeare Live!

For one night only: Shakespeare Live!

22 April 2016

A once-in-a-lifetime cast of actors and musicians will perform in front of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of the greatest playwright in history. Shakespeare Live! From the RSC, an OU/BBC co-production in partnership with the RSC, will be broadcast on Saturday 23 April […]

The Prosecutors: behind the scenes with Julian Webb

19 February 2016

A unique OU/BBC documentary series, which goes behind the scenes to reveal how our Crown Prosecution Service really works, begins on BBC Four next week. ‘The Prosecutors: Real Crime and Punishment‘, the first episode of which is on Wednesday 24 February 2016 at 21:00, invites audiences to experience the challenging, and often harrowing environment in which […]

OU News

Category: TV and radio