Brexitcast to end as UK departs EU this month

BBC political podcast Brexitcast is to finish later this month after two and a half years, RadioToday understands.

Formed following the 2017 election on the back of the success of ‘Electioncast’, hosts Adam Fleming and Chris Mason were subsequently joined by the BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg and Europe editor Katya Adler. As well as weekly episodes of the podcast, there have been ’emergency Brexitcasts’ to cover the Brexit story from Westminster and Brussels. In total more than 150 episodes have been recorded, with many also airing on BBC Radio 5 Live.

RadioToday has learned that the final episode will be recorded in front of an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre in London next Thursday as the UK prepares to leave the European Union the following day, 31st January. Brexitcast fans have until noon tomorrow (Thurs 23rd January) to apply for tickets to the recording.

It’s understood the Brexitcast team will continue in their Thursday night slot on BBC One after next week, with the programme rebranded as Politics Cast. There’s also expected to be a daily ‘News Cast’ podcast hosted by Adam Fleming.

The TV version of the podcast began in September in the slot previously taken by This Week, and debuted with more than a million listeners. It is also broadcast on the BBC News channel and BBC World News.

Brexitcast won the Listeners’ Choice award at the British Podcast Awards last year.

A BBC News spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by RadioToday.

Meanwhile, The Times and the BBC are reporting that the Victoria Derbyshire daily television show will be taken off air as part of cuts to BBC News budgets. Victoria made the move to TV following many years at BBC Radio 5 Live. The Times suggests a move to digital offerings will be part of the changes being announced next week, including a daily news podcast inspired by the success of The Daily from The New York Times.