Radio Times Podcast
We’ve all been there – sat in front of the television, flicking through channels, getting increasingly frustrated – there’s so much on, but nothing to watch. TV critics Caroline Frost and Shem Law have you covered. Each Friday, they serve up short, sharp television recommendations to mark your cards for the week ahead. They’ll tell you what to watch – and what to avoid. They watch it all, so you don’t have to. No more asking: what’s on TV tonight? What to watch? Or, what should I watch? Instead, listen to Smart TV for your weekly round-up of TV programmes and film reviews. You’ll find out about the latest series dropping that week, what to binge and what television show will become the next watercooler moment. Radio Times’ journalists Caroline Frost and Shem Law will cover all things terrestrial as well as what’s on the streaming sites – they’ll cover what’s broadcast on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky to NOW, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Netflix and Apple TV. Whether you like Entertainment, Current Affairs, Documentaries, Dramas, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Thrillers, Sports or Radio – they’ll have you covered.If you enjoy our weekly round-up of television reviews, do search for the View From My Sofa podcast which sees Kelly-Anne Taylor sit down with a celebrity guests to talk about their lives through the prism of TV.
Latest episodes
Jan 31, 2025 • 22min
Smart TV: New Austen Drama and Sitcom Spinoffs
You can get in touch with our hosts via email (podcast@radiotimes.com) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES:TV:Miss Austen, BBC1Go Back To Where You Came From, C4Celebrity Bear Hunt, NetflixFROST BITE:What’s the secret to a successful sitcom-spinoff?Amandaland, BBC1THE ARCHIVE:Bob Marley, BBC2 ...Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 24, 2025 • 24min
Smart TV: Death in Paradise and Idris Elba Knife Crime Doc
You can get in touch with our hosts via email (podcast@radiotimes.com) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES:TV:Brian and Maggie, C4Death in Paradise, BBC1Uncanny, BBC2 OUR READER SAYS:Why are the news sending their anchors all over the world?!FROST BITE:When celebs meet charities - a cause for good?Idris Elba: Our Knife Crime Crisis, BBC1 THE ARCHIVE:Eldorado, U&Drama ...Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 17, 2025 • 25min
Smart TV: Martin Clunes Drama and Is the Traitors good for us?
You can get in touch with our hosts via email (podcast@radiotimes.com) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES:TV:Out There, ITVGladiators, BBC1Disclaimer, Apple TV+OUR READER SAYS:What happened to Silent Witness??FROST BITE:The Traitors is a hit - but is it any good (for us)? THE ARCHIVE:And Then There Were None, BBC iPlayerGosford Park, BBC iPlayerKnives Out, Amazon Prime...Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 11, 2025 • 19min
Smart TV: The Traitors Returns and Men Behaving Badly (not the sitcom)
You can get in touch with our hosts via email (podcast@radiotimes.com) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES:TV:Missing You, Netflix24 Hours in Police Custody: The Norfolk Narco Cartel, C4The Traitors, BBC1OUR READER SAYS:Christine from Swindon says...Toby Stephens the next James Bond?FROST BITE:Male presenters only have to behave - why can’t they?! THE ARCHIVE:Rod Stewart: Can't Stop Me Now, BBCiPlayer...Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 31, 2024 • 29min
Smart TV: Best of 2024
You can get in touch with our hosts via email (podcast@radiotimes.com) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES:BEST OF 2024:Ludwig, BBC, iPlayerBaby Reindeer, NetflixSlow Horses, Apple TV+Industry, BBC iPlayerWolf Hall, BBC iPlayerSven, Amazon PrimeLOWLIGHTS:Password, ITV1Buying London, NetflixVILLAIN(NESS) OF THE YEAR:Lazy Commissioning"Talent"HERO OF THE YEAR:Apple TV+Chirs McCausland ...Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 27, 2024 • 22min
Smart TV: New Years Special
You can get in touch with our hosts via email (podcast@radiotimes.com) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES:NEW YEARS EVE TV:SAS Rogue Heroes, BBC1Missing You, NetflixVera, ITV1Ruth Jones Remembers… Hattie, BBC4LOOK AHEAD TO 2025:Miss Austen, BBC1Brian and Margaret, C4Towards Zero, BBC1Bergerac, U&U DramaGARETH'S PICK OF 2024:Agatha All Long, Disney +...Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 20, 2024 • 29min
Smart TV: Christmas Day Special
You can get in touch with our hosts via email (podcast@radiotimes.com) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES:CHRISTMAS TV:Wallace and Gromit, BBC1Call the Midwife, BBC1Doctor Who, BBC1Gavin and Stacey, BBC1EastEnders, BBC1Coronation Street, ITV1Hercule Poirot's Christmas, ITV3Carry On Matron, ITV3 From Roger Moore with Love, BBC2DAVID'S PICK OF 2024:Matlock, NOW...Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 13, 2024 • 22min
Smart TV: Strike Returns and a Strictly Star Has Been Born
You can get in touch with our hosts via email (podcast@radiotimes.com) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES:TV:Strike, BBC1Sports Personality of the Year, BBC1Wham: Last Christmas Unwrapped, BBC2OUR READER SAYS:Connie from Brighton recommends...So Long Marianne, ITVX FROST BITE:Strictly Star: Chris McCausland THE ARCHIVE:Victoria Wood with All The Trimmings, BBC4 and iPlayer...Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 6, 2024 • 20min
Smart TV: Alan Bennett and Should Masterchef be Cancelled
You can get in touch with our hosts via email (podcast@radiotimes.com) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES:TV:Alan Bennett: 90 Years On, BBC2Dalgliesh, C5OUR READER SAYS:Adrian from Exeter says…When did the BBC become the American Broadcasting Company?FROST BITE:Should Masterchef be cancelled? THE ARCHIVE:Dalgliesh (Previous versions)...Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 29, 2024 • 20min
Smart TV: After The Party and Doctor Who Christmas Preview
You can get in touch with our hosts via email (podcast@radiotimes.com) and Spotify users can write in directly using the Q&A box at the bottom of the episode. SHOW NOTES:TV:AFTER THE PARTY, C4DOCTOR WHO XMAS PREVIEW, BBC1LENA ZAVARONI: THE FORGOTTEN CHILD STAR, BBC2OUR READER SAYS:Chris from Edgware is not a fan of THE TODAY PROGRAMMEFROST BITE:Alan Bennett at 90 - Would he get commissioned now? THE ARCHIVE:DERRY GIRLS, C4...Happy Viewing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
