Over the years, a handful of BBC radio shows have earned a special place in the nation’s heart. For many, the list of beloved programmes likely includes The Archers, Desert Island Discs, and—now in its second century—the Shipping Forecast. Another sure member of this exclusive club—broadcasting’s equivalent of the Order of Merit—is Melvyn Bragg’s long-running Radio 4 programme, In Our Time.
In Our Time captures something essential about media: it proves that a programme can be both serious and popular. From the very start, it was so well done that Lord Bragg and his guests turned a traditionally quiet weekday morning slot—9 a.m.—into one of the BBC’s most enduring treasures. They achieved this simply by talking engagingly about important, and sometimes challenging, subjects. Who would have thought?
The title In Our Time is a bit misleading, since the show explores timeless and historical topics just as much as contemporary ones. Each week, it takes a person, movement, idea, theory, or field of study that has shaped the world and explains its significance. Three experts, mostly from universities, outline the key facts and explore the major debates over 45 minutes, with Lord Bragg guiding the conversation. The result is consistently one of the most listened-to speech programmes and podcasts on radio.
But the show is about to lose its guiding voice. Lord Bragg recently confirmed that, at 85, he is stepping down from the role he has held since 1998. He has been a presenter to treasure—someone who knew when to step back before asking just the right question to move the discussion forward. He set an example for presenters who might otherwise dominate or show off. Beyond the studio, he has been a tireless advocate for the arts and public service broadcasting. This programme, though, represents his finest work. He will be a hard act to follow.
The reasons for the show’s success are clear. It appeals to listeners who want to learn more or whose curiosity is sparked by thoughtful, informed discussion. It isn’t snobbish, London-centric (Lord Bragg, a proud Cumbrian, wouldn’t allow that), or narrowly national—it’s truly international. Its purpose is to broaden minds, and it succeeds. It’s also a rare example of civilised media, proving that people can disagree on difficult topics while still respecting one another. Fittingly, Lord Bragg’s final episode in July explored this very idea.
In Our Time’s greatest achievement is that it never talks down to its audience, nor does it oversimplify. Each episode is focused, yet the range of subjects is vast—from the founding of Ancient Rome to mathematical incompleteness theorems, from Anna Akhmatova to Rabindranath Tagore, and from the 18th-century gin craze to the Higgs boson. With over 1,000 episodes since it began, there’s no sign of the show slowing down or running out of topics. Fortunately, it was an early BBC podcast, so many episodes are still available to enjoy. Long may it continue.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about The Guardians view on Melvyn Braggs In Our Time designed to be clear and helpful
General Definition Questions
Q What is In Our Time
A Its a longrunning BBC Radio 4 programme hosted by Melvyn Bragg where he discusses the history of ideas with a panel of academic experts
Q What was The Guardians main view on the show
A The Guardians view or editorial praised the programme for proving that deep intellectual discussion can also be massively popular and accessible to a wide audience
Q Who is Melvyn Bragg
A He is a British broadcaster novelist and member of the House of Lords who has hosted In Our Time since it began in 1998 He is known for his skill in guiding complex conversations
Benefits Impact Questions
Q Why does The Guardian think this combination is so important
A Because it challenges the common assumption that serious media must be niche and that popular media has to be dumbeddown It shows that the public has an appetite for smart content
Q What are the benefits of a show like In Our Time
A It makes highlevel academic knowledge free and available to everyone encourages lifelong learning and fosters a more informed public conversation
Q Has In Our Time influenced other media
A Yes its success has shown other broadcasters and publishers that there is a viable audience for intellectually rigorous content inspiring similar formats and a greater emphasis on depth
Common Questions Criticisms
Q Is the show really that popular
A Yes It consistently attracts hundreds of thousands of listeners per episode and its podcast has been downloaded millions of times worldwide which is exceptional for a programme about history of ideas
Q Couldnt the topics be too difficult for the average listener
A Thats the programmes genius Bragg acts as the listeners representative asking experts to explain complex concepts in clear language without losing the intellectual core of the discussion
Q Whats a common criticism of the shows format
A Some critics feel the 45minute runtime is too short for certain vast topics or that the conversational style can sometimes be rushed However most agree this brevity is key to its
