Americast
BBC News
Americast is the authoritative US news and politics podcast from the BBC.
Each week we provide audiences with the best analysis from across the BBC, with on-the-ground observations and big picture insights about the stories which are defining America right now.
The podcast is hosted by trusted BBC journalists including the BBC’s North America editor, Sarah Smith, BBC Radio 4 presenter, Justin Webb, the BBC’s disinformation and social media correspondent, Marianna Spring, and BBC North America correspondent, Anthony Zurcher.
As well as political analysis, we also specialise in social media. Each week Marianna Spring brings listeners the latest updates from the BBC’s Undercover Voters, our award-winning investigation into the content that is recommended to US voters on social media.
The team is also joined by special guests each week, like CNN anchor, Christiane Amanpour, Emmy Award-winning TV host, Rachel Maddow, and Succession actress, J Smith-Cameron.
Podcasts are published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As well as being a podcast, we are also available every Friday on the World Service. Oh, and by the way, you can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say ‘”Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.
Every Monday we answer your questions on Americanswers, with some help from special guests, including Miles Taylor, who was chief of staff at the Department for Homeland Security during the Trump presidency before becoming a whistleblower. Got a question or a comment? Get in touch with us on email at Americast@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.
Each week we provide audiences with the best analysis from across the BBC, with on-the-ground observations and big picture insights about the stories which are defining America right now.
The podcast is hosted by trusted BBC journalists including the BBC’s North America editor, Sarah Smith, BBC Radio 4 presenter, Justin Webb, the BBC’s disinformation and social media correspondent, Marianna Spring, and BBC North America correspondent, Anthony Zurcher.
As well as political analysis, we also specialise in social media. Each week Marianna Spring brings listeners the latest updates from the BBC’s Undercover Voters, our award-winning investigation into the content that is recommended to US voters on social media.
The team is also joined by special guests each week, like CNN anchor, Christiane Amanpour, Emmy Award-winning TV host, Rachel Maddow, and Succession actress, J Smith-Cameron.
Podcasts are published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As well as being a podcast, we are also available every Friday on the World Service. Oh, and by the way, you can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say ‘”Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.
Every Monday we answer your questions on Americanswers, with some help from special guests, including Miles Taylor, who was chief of staff at the Department for Homeland Security during the Trump presidency before becoming a whistleblower. Got a question or a comment? Get in touch with us on email at Americast@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 8, 2020 • 37min
How Trump can win
Trailing in the polls and with coronavirus cases topping three million, Donald Trump’s chances of re-election don’t look great at the moment. But with four months to go, we're joined by Steve Cortes from America First, a key figure in his re-election campaign. Plus could it be a case of “Yes We Kanye” in 2020?Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producer: Harriet Noble
Editor: Dino Sofos
Jul 1, 2020 • 41min
We're back!
Four months until the election and lots to discuss. Trump’s poll numbers are falling, and coronavirus cases are rising. Americast is back.Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producer: Harriet Noble
Editor: Dino Sofos
Jun 5, 2020 • 40min
Protests and the President
On the night of the memorial service for George Floyd, Emily, Jon and Anthony are back to discuss the implications for America and the presidential race.Producers: Harriet Noble, Morgan Gisholt Minard, Nathalie Ktena and Seren Jones
Assistant Editor: Emma Close
Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Editor: Dino Sofos
Apr 25, 2020 • 26min
Bleach Body Ready
President Trump suggests scientists try researching the efficacy of putting disinfectant into the body to fight the virus. Emily, Jon and Adam are joined by Dr. Carlos Del Rio, an infectious disease expert at Emory University.Producer: Harriet Noble
Assistant Editors: Emma Close and Sam Bonham
Editor: Dino Sofos
Apr 10, 2020 • 36min
New York, New York
The presidency in a pandemic. Emily, Jon and Anthony join the host of The Coronavirus Newscast, Adam Fleming, to discuss how the United States is dealing with the Covid-19 crisis. They're also joined by the longest serving Health Secretary in US history, Congresswoman Donna Shalala.Producers: Nick Rotherham, Frankie Tobi and Alicia Burrell
Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham
Editor: Dino Sofos
Mar 19, 2020 • 30min
Buffet Syndrome
All roads lead to coronavirus… but there is still some politics to talk about before we take break for a while. For more from Emily, Jon and Anthony, tune in to The Coronavirus Newscast on BBC Sounds, where they’ll be popping up.Editor: Dino Sofos
Mar 11, 2020 • 29min
Not-So-Sleepy Joe
A week after Joe Biden surged into the front-runner position, the former vice-president wins big on Mini Super Tuesday, the day six states held primary contests. Maitlis, Sopes and The Zurch chew over the significance of the result and the impact Coronavirus is having on the presidential race. Editor: Dino Sofos
Producer: Emma Close
Mar 9, 2020 • 18min
Dow Dow deeper and Dow
In an emergency Americast, Maitlis and Sopes get together with Michelle Fleury, the BBC's New York Business Correspondent to talk about the fall in the stock market and what it could mean for the election. Producer: Emma Close
Editor: Dino Sofos
Mar 5, 2020 • 20min
Warren is Out
In our first emergency Americast, Maitlis, Sopes and The Zurch mull over what Elizabeth Warren dropping out means for the Democratic presidential race.Editor: Dino Sofos
Mar 4, 2020 • 42min
Biden’s Back, ALRIGHT!
Maitlis, Sopes and The Zurch discuss Biden’s comeback and other highlights of the biggest night of primaries, Super Tuesday. With special guests Amy Dacey, former CEO of the Democratic National Committee, and the man who wrote speeches for George W. Bush, David Frum.
