Melvyn Bragg Steps Down From ‘In Our Time’ After Over 1,000 Episodes, Sparking BBC Succession Debate
LONDON – Melvyn Bragg is stepping down from hosting BBC Radio 4’s flagship intellectual discussion program, In Our Time, after presenting over 1,000 episodes as its 1998 debut. The announcement has ignited debate within the BBC about the future of “Reithian” public service broadcasting and how to maintain audience engagement with high-brow content in a rapidly changing media landscape.
In Our Time‘s enduring success – reaching two million live listeners in 2023 and consistently ranking among the BBC’s most downloaded podcasts – demonstrates a public appetite for challenging, in-depth discussion, defying expectations in an era often dominated by short-form, populist content. This success mirrors a broader shift in the “attention economy,” as described by generation historian Eliza Filby, who notes that “Gen Z want something different. Smaller communities. Belonging. They are not put off by more demanding content but they also want their say.”
The programme’s influence extends beyond its direct audience, inspiring a wave of popular history podcasts like The rest is History and fostering a renewed focus on “the public understanding of” academic disciplines.However, commentators suggest the programme needs to evolve to remain relevant. While Bragg’s “old school” approach proved effective, potential successors will need to be ”less olympian, more open to challenge, somehow more interactive,” while still upholding the value of expertise.
Suggestions for Bragg’s replacement include Amol Rajan and Mary Beard, though some critics argue for a presenter with less of a “grandee” persona and a willingness to more actively challenge guests. The debate surrounding Bragg’s successor comes at a critical juncture for both the BBC and the Church of England, institutions facing pressure to adapt to changing societal values and audience expectations.
The author draws a parallel to the parable of the Sower, cautioning against prioritizing short-term gains (“ratings and bums on seats”) over sustained intellectual depth.Bragg’s long-running programme, initially intended as a six-month experiment, serves as a testament to the enduring power of “seriousness” in broadcasting.