Broadcast Programmes

The Open University works with broadcasters such as the BBC to produce television and radio series such as 'Frozen Planet', 'Wartime Farm' and 'Child of Our Time'. The archive collection of these broadcasts includes the programmes and related documentation, such as transcripts, where available. The OU Digital Archive collection of broadcast programmes includes a small sample of the archive. The collection will grow as more content is added.

Image of Broadcast Programmes
Thumbnail Title Description Date
video record for Who decides? Who decides?This episode explores the dilemma faced by elderly care services when trying to keep people living...
video record for Nowhere to go Nowhere to goIn the next 20 years the number of Britain's pensioners will grow by half. For many, being cared...
video record for The foods that make billions : 2. The age of plenty The foods that make billions : 2. The age of plentyThis major new series told by the Money Programme team, tells the untold story of how big business...
video record for The foods that make billions : 1. Liquid gold The foods that make billions : 1. Liquid goldThis major new series told by the Money Programme team, tells the untold story of how big business...
video record for The foods that make billions : 3. Pots of gold The foods that make billions : 3. Pots of goldThis major new series told by the Money Programme team, tells the untold story of how big business...
video record for In their own words : British novelists. In their own words : British novelists.Three-part series looking at the story of the British novel in the 20th century, told by those who...
video record for In their own words : British novelists. In their own words : British novelists.Three-part series looking at the story of the British novel in the 20th century, told by those who...
video record for In their own words : British novelists. In their own words : British novelists.Three-part series looking at the story of the British novel in the 20th century, told by those who...
video record for Protecting our children : 2. Expecting trouble Protecting our children : 2. Expecting troubleThis series follows Bristol's child protection teams over the course of a year to see frontline...
video record for Protecting our children : 3. I want my baby back Protecting our children : 3. I want my baby backThis series follows Bristol's child protection teams over the course of a year to see frontline...
video record for Protecting our children : 1. Damned if they do, damned if they don't. Protecting our children : 1. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.This series follows Bristol's child protection teams over the course of a year to see frontline...
video record for Explosions : how we shook the world Explosions : how we shook the worldEngineer Jem Stansfield is used to creating explosions, but in this programme he uncovers the story...
video record for Background brief 17 : the science of ageing Background brief 17 : the science of ageing
video record for Background brief 18 : the science of foot and mouth Background brief 18 : the science of foot and mouth
video record for Background brief 19 : the science of sleep Background brief 19 : the science of sleep
video record for Background brief 20 : the science of stress Background brief 20 : the science of stress
video record for Hollywood science : Shanghai Noon Hollywood science : Shanghai NoonThis programme looks at some Hollywood stunts and scientifically proves if they are possible. A...
video record for Hollywood science : Dante's peak Hollywood science : Dante's peakThis programme investigates the science behind a memorable movie moment. Could a lake of acid...
video record for Hollywood science : Cool Hand Luke Hollywood science : Cool Hand LukeThis programme looks at the real story behind a memorable movie moment. Could you really eat 50 eggs?
video record for Hollywood science : Ice Cold In Alex Hollywood science : Ice Cold In AlexThis programme looks at the real story behind a memorable movie moment. Could an ambulance really...
video record for Hollywood science : Die Hard Hollywood science : Die HardBungee jumping with a fire hose rescued Bruce Willis from certain death in die hard, but would the...
video record for Hollywood science : Speed Hollywood science : SpeedThis programme investigates the real story behind a memorable movie moment. Could a bus really jump...
video record for Mission to Mars: Beagle 2 Mission to Mars: Beagle 2This programme follows the early progress of the Beagle 2, mission to Mars
video record for Beagle 2: a mission to Mars Beagle 2: a mission to MarsThis programme follows the early progress of the Beagle 2, mission to Mars
video record for Final Frontier 3 : September Final Frontier 3 : SeptemberThis programme is a compilation of highlights from series 1 and 2 of Final Frontier
video record for Final Frontier 3 : October Final Frontier 3 : OctoberThis programme looks at variable stars and Europe's rocket launch industry
video record for Final Frontier 3 : November Final Frontier 3 : NovemberThis programme investigates rocket trips into space, comets, space weather and visits an amateur...
video record for Final Frontier 3 : December Final Frontier 3 : DecemberThis programme looks at the Galileo mission to Jupiter and the origins of the universe
video record for Final Frontier 3 : January Final Frontier 3 : JanuaryThis programme looks at Britain's role in future space exploration and talks to a leading amateur...
video record for Final Frontier 3 : February Final Frontier 3 : FebruaryThis programme looks at asteroids, the toll that space flight takes on the human body and how bone...
video record for Final Frontier 3 : March Final Frontier 3 : MarchThis programme reveals Zubrin's concept of humans to Mars Mission which has been adopted by NASA,...
video record for Final Frontier 3 : April Final Frontier 3 : AprilThis programme investigates the Gamma Ray Alert Team of amateur astronauts and takes a look at...
video record for Final Frontier 3 : May Final Frontier 3 : MayThis programme reports on National Astronomy Week 2002 and takes a look at the new generation of...
video record for Final Frontier 3 : June Final Frontier 3 : JuneThis programme reports on Britain's future role in solar system exploration and investigates an...
video record for Dramatic science : learning to love the grey Part 2 Dramatic science : learning to love the grey Part 2This is a mini drama series looking at aspects of human cell technology
video record for Dramatic science : learning to love the grey Part 3 Dramatic science : learning to love the grey Part 3This is a mini drama series looking at aspects of human cell technology
video record for Dramatic science : making astronauts Part 1 Dramatic science : making astronauts Part 1This is a mini drama series looking at the technology of artificial insemination
video record for Super rackets Super rackets
video record for Timewatch : Stonehenge Timewatch : StonehengeFive years ago, a four thousand five hundred year old skeleton of a man was unearthed in Amesbury...
video record for Timewatch : The last day of World War One Timewatch : The last day of World War OneMichael Palin joins the Timewatch team to tell the story of the final day of the First World War -...
video record for Timewatch : Young Victoria Timewatch : Young VictoriaMany of us have an image of Queen Victoria as a dour, restrictive woman. But, as Dr. Kate Williams...
video record for Seven ages of Britain : 1. Age of conquest Seven ages of Britain : 1. Age of conquestDavid Dimbleby tells the story of Britain through its art and treasure. This, the first episode,...
video record for Seven ages of Britain : 2. Age of worship Seven ages of Britain : 2. Age of worshipThe story of British art in the Middle Ages, spanning from the murder of Thomas Becket in 1170 to...
video record for Seven ages of Britain : 3. Age of power Seven ages of Britain : 3. Age of powerThe story of Britain through its art and treasure. This episode looks at the Tudors and spans...
video record for Seven ages of Britain : 4. Age of revolution Seven ages of Britain : 4. Age of revolutionIn the 17th century, when the people of Britain learned to question everything. The result was...
video record for Seven ages of Britain : 5. Age of money Seven ages of Britain : 5. Age of moneyIn the 18th century, the triumph of commerce led to the emergence of a new 'middle' class, a group...
video record for Seven ages of Britain : 6. Age of empire Seven ages of Britain : 6. Age of empireThe story of the British Empire from 1750 to 1900, revealed through its art and treasures. David...
video record for Seven ages of Britain : 7. Age of ambition Seven ages of Britain : 7. Age of ambitionIn the last episode, David Dimbleby looks at how the 20th century saw ordinary Britons upturning...
video record for Pain, pus and poison: 3. Poison Pain, pus and poison: 3. PoisonMichael ends the series with a look at poisons, exploring the incredible turning points when we...
video record for Pain, pus and poison: 1. Pain Pain, pus and poison: 1. PainPain has a profound effect on our bodies - when we are experiencing it, millions of nerve cells...