The Inquiry
The Inquiry is a weekly news commentary show from BBC World Service that explores global trends, forces and ideas behind the headlines. It has 612 episodes since October 2014, runs about 24 minutes per episode, and is estimated at 20,000 to 80,000 downloads per episode. Estimated rate is $360 to $2,000 per host-read mid-roll.
Global current affairs from BBC World Service, with a loyal, rated audience
- 612 episodes since 2014 with a steady weekly cadence and roughly 24-minute runs.
- 698 Apple Podcasts ratings with a 4.6 average, a strong signal of an engaged listener base.
- Analytical, explainer-style episodes suit brands wanting a thoughtful, non-impulse context.
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- interview, expert panel discussion, explainer
- Tone
- analytical, measured
- Language
- English
- Production
- Studio production
- Typical length
- 23 to 25 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
Episode titles cover politics, conflict and public health topics such as 'Is Portugal's drugs policy in need of reform?' and 'Why does Ebola keep coming back?' without explicit content flags.
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/p029399x |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id932499233 |
| RSS feed | podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/p029399x.rss |
Benchmark score: 94 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Is a deal on the Kuril Islands ever possible? | 2026-10-13 | 24 min |
| Can middle powers reshape the world? | 2026-10-06 | 24 min |
| How can Nepal’s economy rebuild after floods? | 2026-09-29 | 24 min |
| How did Italian politics become stable? | 2026-09-22 | 24 min |
| Can China’s polar silk road change global trade? | 2026-09-15 | 24 min |
| Can Africa take control of its digital future? | 2026-09-08 | 24 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 6 days ago, a new one about every 7 days.
The Inquiry gets beyond the headlines to explore the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world.
About The Inquiry
The Inquiry is a weekly news commentary podcast produced by BBC World Service, examining the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world beyond the headlines. Episodes run about 24 minutes and the show has published 612 episodes since October 2014, according to the BBC programme page and the show's RSS feed. Apple Podcasts lists 698 ratings with an average of 4.6.
The show's audience is estimated, not published: roughly 20,000 to 80,000 downloads per episode, based on rating volume, catalogue size and Podcast Index popularity. Listeners are likely to be adults with an interest in international affairs, with an estimated skew towards the UK, US and India.
No sponsors appear in the feed, so the show is a candidate for a host-read mid-roll at an estimated $360 to $2,000 per episode. This suits brands seeking a credible, thoughtful context for awareness campaigns in financial services, education or professional services.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. The Inquiry can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about The Inquiry
How much does The Inquiry charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Based on estimated downloads of 20,000 to 80,000 per episode, a host-read mid-roll is estimated at $360 to $2,000 per episode. Final pricing depends on the show's own terms and the placement.
What is The Inquiry about?
The Inquiry is a BBC World Service news commentary podcast that explores global trends, forces and ideas shaping the world. Episodes run about 24 minutes and are released weekly.
How do I contact The Inquiry about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80, and boosted shows can be booked through Starbooked.
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