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 Stargazing live 3 : programme 3 Stargazing live 3 : programme 3In the final episode of their astronomical adventure, Professor Brian Cox and comedian Dara...
video record for Bang goes the theory : series 7 episode 8 Bang goes the theory : series 7 episode 8Air pollution is now second only to smoking as a killer in the UK, yet as a nation we are failing...
video record for Bang goes the theory : series 7 episode 2 Bang goes the theory : series 7 episode 2In response to recent fears about the future of antibiotics, the team investigates germs and...
video record for Bang goes the theory : series 7 episode 1 Bang goes the theory : series 7 episode 1Bang Goes the Theory is back, with the first of eight episodes bringing you the science behind the...
video record for Bang goes the theory : series 7 episode 3 Bang goes the theory : series 7 episode 3Sugar is on trial in this programme. Widely blamed for all manner of health issues beyond rotten...
video record for Bang goes the theory : series 7 episode 7 Bang goes the theory : series 7 episode 7In this episode, the team explore the new era of personal medicine. With people taking ever bigger...
video record for Bang goes the theory : series 7 episode 4 Bang goes the theory : series 7 episode 4The team look at some of the things threatening the safety of your family on a daily basis. Liz...
video record for Bang goes the theory : series 7 episode 5 Bang goes the theory : series 7 episode 5With the recent horsemeat scandal fresh in our minds, the team ask how much we really know about...
video record for Bang goes the theory : series 7 episode 6 Bang goes the theory : series 7 episode 6In this episode, the team look at Britain under pressure. With the population of the UK topping 63...
video record for Made in Britain : Episode 1 Made in Britain : Episode 1Who says we don't make anything any more? In the first of a three-part series on how Britain pays...
video record for Made in Britain : Episode 2 Made in Britain : Episode 2How can Britain stay ahead of its competitors in the global economy? In the second part of his...
video record for Made in Britain : Episode 3 Made in Britain : Episode 3Evan Davis looks at the explosive growth of Britain's services economy in the third and final part...
video record for Symphony : 1. Genesis and genius Symphony : 1. Genesis and geniusSimon Russell Beale presents a radical reappraisal of the place of the symphony in the modern world...
video record for Symphony : 2. Beethoven and beyond Symphony : 2. Beethoven and beyondSimon Russell Beale continues his journey into the world of the symphony with the story of the...
video record for Symphony : 3. New nations and new worlds Symphony : 3. New nations and new worldsSimon Russell Beale continues his history of the symphony by taking a musical journey through the...
video record for Symphony : 4. Revolution and rebirth Symphony : 4. Revolution and rebirthSimon Russell Beale's journey takes him into the 20th century, a time when the certainties of...
video record for Secrets of our living planet : 1. The emerald band Secrets of our living planet : 1. The emerald bandIn this series from the BBC and the Open University, naturalist Chris Packham reveals the natural...
video record for Secrets of our living planet : 2. The secret of the savannah Secrets of our living planet : 2. The secret of the savannahIn this series from the BBC and the Open University, naturalist Chris Packham reveals the natural...
video record for Secrets of our living planet : 3. The magical forest Secrets of our living planet : 3. The magical forestIn this series from the BBC and the Open University, naturalist Chris Packham reveals the natural...
video record for Secrets of our living planet : 4. Waterworlds Secrets of our living planet : 4. WaterworldsIn this series from the BBC and the Open University, naturalist Chris Packham reveals the natural...
video record for Andrew Marr's history of the world : 1. Survival Andrew Marr's history of the world : 1. SurvivalAndrew Marr's History of the World is an epic 8-part journey through human history and the story of...
video record for Andrew Marr's history of the world : 2. Age of Empire Andrew Marr's history of the world : 2. Age of EmpireAndrew Marr's History of the World is an epic 8-part journey through human history and the story of...
video record for Andrew Marr's history of the world : 3. The word and the sword Andrew Marr's history of the world : 3. The word and the swordAndrew Marr's History of the World is an epic 8-part journey through human history and the story of...
video record for Andrew Marr's history of the world : 4. Into the light Andrew Marr's history of the world : 4. Into the lightAndrew Marr's History of the World is an epic 8-part journey through human history and the story of...
video record for Andrew Marr's history of the world : 8. Age of extremes Andrew Marr's history of the world : 8. Age of extremesAndrew Marr's History of the World is an epic 8-part journey through human history and the story of...
video record for Andrew Marr's history of the world : 5. Age of plunder Andrew Marr's history of the world : 5. Age of plunderAndrew Marr's History of the World is an epic 8-part journey through human history and the story of...
video record for Andrew Marr's history of the world : 6. Revolution Andrew Marr's history of the world : 6. RevolutionAndrew Marr's History of the World is an epic 8-part journey through human history and the story of...
video record for Andrew Marr's history of the world : 7. Age of industry Andrew Marr's history of the world : 7. Age of industryAndrew Marr's History of the World is an epic 8-part journey through human history and the story of...
video record for Built in Britain : episode 1 Built in Britain : episode 1In this two part series Evan Davis sets out to find the scale of the engineering challenge Britain...
video record for Knowing better : Putting training to work - UK and USA ; Wideworld programme 211 Knowing better : Putting training to work - UK and USA ; Wideworld programme 211Anglia Television/Channel 5 series Wideworld.;N.B. this series consists of a re-versioning of OU...
video record for Pensions PensionsThis programme looks at the increase in people living longer than pensionable age.They represent...
video record for Tax TaxThis programme looks at the way internet transaction can avoid taxation, how will the government...
video record for Blithering nonsense [extended version] Blithering nonsense [extended version]This video consists of two programmes; the first, introduced by playwright Willy Russell, looks...
video record for Icons: Artists and writers Icons: Artists and writersThis episode sees actress Lily Cole examine four of the 20th century's greatest artists and...
video record for Icons - Activists Icons - ActivistsSanjeev Bhaskar explore the lives of the 20th century's greatest activists, examining the lives of...
video record for Sacred music : The Gothic revolution Sacred music : The Gothic revolutionIn this programme Simon Russell Beale charts the early development of Christian church music from...
video record for School SchoolThis episode follows students with Asperger's, Down's Syndrome and other special needs whose future...
video preview image for Making Your Learning Count Making Your Learning CountA promotional animation advising students on their 'learning journey' at The Open University.
audio record of All in the mind: Self-care, Schadenfreude, How maths ability might relate to ball-catching skillsWhat is self-care and what's the evidence that it works for anxiety and depression in young people?...
audio record of All in the mind: Entitlement and bad luck; Awards finalist; intermittent fasting and memoryWhy do some people feel they deserve good fortune - and what happens to them if they expect...
audio record of Pharma Bro 2: Why do we hate?After raising the price of a life saving drug, Martin Shkreli became the most hated man in America....
audio record of Pharma Bro 1: Is greed inherently bad?After raising the price of a life saving drug, Martin Shkreli became the most hated man in......
audio record of The Letterman: When does dark humour go too far?During an operation Dr Bramhall burns his initials into a newly transplanted Liver. He argues that...
audio record of Thinking allowed: Package holidays and 'authentic' travelMichael John Law, retired research fellow in History at the University of Westminster, investigates...
audio record of All in the mind: Steven PinkerTodays episode asks 'If you are depressed, are you more realistic?' 'Sader, but wiser'. The...
audio record of Gangster: Career CriminalsIf you‘ve already made millions and you know you’re being watched, why keep offending? Curtis...
video record for Indian school: 5. Girl talk Indian school: 5. Girl talkThis fast-paced documentary series follows a remarkable year in two contrasting schools in Pune,...
video record for The Surrogates: 1 The Surrogates: 1In this episode, we meet Caitlin and her boss Kate. Caitlin is 26, a single mum, and in a new...
video record for The Surrogates: 2 The Surrogates: 2Caitlin is now pregnant with her boss Kate’s baby, and they try to navigate the complex...
video record for The Surrogates: 3 The Surrogates: 3Maddie, Alex, and Rich agree to give themselves six months to try to get pregnant. As the deadline...