News
The weapons of war born in the laboratory. Read more
now playing
Chemists' Dirty Secret
The weapons of war born in the laboratory.
Gareth Gwynn’s Alternative Archive
Gareth Gwynn presents the first Archive on 4 that looks sideways rather than backwards.
Powers of Persuasion: How Britain Learned to Sell
Wayne Hemingway charts 100 years of British advertising examining how we learned to sell.
American Civility: Year Zero
Michael Goldfarb looks at the history of rude, violent debate that has marked US politics.
PE - A History of Violence
Was there a time when physical education did more harm than good?
Bent Coppers
Author Jake Arnott traces the history of corruption in the Metropolitan police.
The Risk Makers
Erring is easy in the prophecy business. Why risk is too important to be left to experts!
Walking the Wild Mind
Suzanne Vega explores Lou Reed's complexities with New Yorkers who knew him well.
I'm Only Joking
Ed Byrne traces the history of offensive comedy while exploring the idea of censorship.
Polling Badly
Sarah Smith asks whether the mistakes of the Poll Tax are about to be repeated.
Flat 113 at Grenfell Tower
What went wrong in flat 113 at Grenfell Tower? Katie Razzall pieces together the evidence
Charles Parker: Radio Pioneer
Sean Street celebrates the centenary of one of the most innovative radio producers.
ing Christopher Hitchens
The life and times of Christopher Hitchens told through archive and interview.
1979: Democracy's Nightmares
Phil Tinline traces the political fears and hopes swirling in Britain in 1978 and 1979.
The New Philosophers and the Death of the Interview
The story of how web-based polemicists byed old media and conquered the internet.
The University of the Air
Gordon Brown charts 50 years of the Open University.
A Saga of Trying (and Failing) to Save the Planet
Professor Alice Roberts delves into the archives to find out how to save planet Earth.
How to Win a Tory Leadership Election
Michael Crick looks back at success and failure in Tory leadership contests in the past
Speaking Truth to Power
Mark D'Arcy examines how MPs' select committees are increasingly challenging the powerful.
The Age of Emulsion: with Laurence Llewelyn Bowen
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen explores the social history of DIY home improvements.
The Death of the Eccentric
Will Self goes in search of an endangered species - the eccentric.
God Bless the Prince of Wales
The explosive story of Prince Charles' investiture - a pivotal moment in British politics.
Voice in the Machine
How did our machines first find their voices and why have they now started to listen back?
James Burke: Our Man on the Moon
James Burke revisits his coverage of the moon landings in 1969 in front of a live audience
The Upside of Anxiety
Andrew Hussey examines the damage done by anxiety and also the benefits it might offer.
The British Black Panthers
The untold story of when Black Power came to Britain and forever left its mark.
Beckett's Last Tapes
Robert McCrum explores Samuel Beckett’s literary career through rare recordings.
Losing My Voice
Jan Ravens explores the fate of impressionists when their signature character retires.
Beating Hitler with Humour
Timur Vermes on how the BBC used humour battling with Hitler during the Second World War.
The First Political Youthquake
How did radical changes 50 years ago recast young people's engagement with UK politics?
Going to the Gay Bar
Travis Alabanza investigates the impact of the closure of LGBTQ+ venues in the UK.