Start the Week
Start the Week is a weekly BBC Radio 4 discussion programme covering cultural, scientific and social topics, with guests debating the week's agenda. The feed lists 659 episodes since September 2010, released weekly, with a median length of about 42 minutes. Estimated downloads per episode are 5,000 to 25,000 (estimated), a rate of $90 to $625 per episode for a host-read mid-roll.
Long-running BBC Radio 4 cultural discussion with a loyal, mature listenership
- 659 weekly episodes since 2010 offer sustained, predictable placement
- Median episode length of about 42 minutes suits a considered mid-roll
- Apple rating of 4.7 from 157 ratings signals a highly satisfied audience
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- panel discussion, interview, guest conversation
- Tone
- thoughtful, discursive
- Language
- English
- Production
- Studio production
- Typical length
- 40 to 45 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- None yet
- Categories promoted
- None yet
- Affiliate links
- No
No sponsor mentions found in the feed
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Family friendly
Recent titles cover politics, economics and social issues such as 'Working-Class Lives: Identity and Political Fractures' and 'Industrial action'; the feed carries no explicit flag (explicit=0).
We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.
Where to listen
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006r9xr |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id131131620 |
| RSS feed | podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/b006r9xr.rss |
Benchmark score: 67 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Inheritance – from stories to genetics | 2026-10-12 | 42 min |
| Jon Ronson: men unravelling | 2026-10-05 | 42 min |
| Contains Strong Language Festival in Salford | 2026-09-28 | 42 min |
| Carlo Rovelli: complexity and value | 2026-09-21 | 42 min |
| Living with uncertainty | 2026-09-14 | 42 min |
| Gordon Brown: The Future Starts with Us | 2026-09-07 | 42 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 7 days ago, a new one about every 7 days.
Weekly discussion programme, setting the cultural agenda every Monday
About Start the Week
Start the Week is a weekly discussion programme broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and distributed as a podcast by the BBC. The feed shows 659 episodes since September 2010, released weekly with a median length of about 42 minutes. Episodes gather guests to debate cultural, scientific and social themes, as recent titles such as 'Carlo Rovelli: complexity and value' and 'Jon Ronson: men unravelling' illustrate.
Apple Podcasts lists a 4.7 average rating from 157 ratings, with the show listed there since 2006. Listeners are estimated, not measured: the show's ratings suggest a mature, UK-centred audience, with an estimated 5,000 to 25,000 downloads per episode. The feed contains no sponsor mentions, and the show is a public-broadcaster programme, so commercial placement would need to be confirmed with the BBC.
At an estimated $18 to $25 per 1,000 downloads, a host-read mid-roll would cost roughly $90 to $625 per episode. Brands in books, arts, premium consumer goods or financial services aimed at older professionals are the most natural fit.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. Start the Week can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about Start the Week
How much does Start the Week charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Based on estimated downloads of 5,000 to 25,000 per episode, a host-read mid-roll is estimated at $90 to $625 per episode. Final pricing depends on the BBC's terms for commercial sponsorship.
What is Start the Week about?
Start the Week is a weekly BBC Radio 4 discussion programme on cultural, scientific and social topics. Guests debate the week's ideas, and episodes run about 42 minutes.
How do I contact Start the Week about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80, and boosted shows can be booked through Starbooked. Confirm sponsorship eligibility with the BBC before committing.
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