Feedback BBC Radio 4

Sam Jackson is Radio 3’s relatively new controller - he’s been in the job for just a year and, at 40, he’s much younger than most of the station’s listeners. Earlier this month he took the plunge and introduced a raft of changes to the schedule. This week on Feedback, he explains the thinking behind the changes and responds to listeners' comments.
And The Now Show is no more. After 25 years, Radio 4’s topical comedy staple ended last week. Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis join Andrea in the studio to look back over the past quarter of a century, unpick the nuances of political satire and talk through the BBC’s decision to end the show.
Presented by Andrea Catherwood
Produced by Leeanne Coyle
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

Helen Lewis has Left the Chat is a six-part series on Radio 4 which examines how instant messaging has “taken over our lives". It delves into the murky, and often hilarious world of WhatsApp and other apps to explore how they have shaped our world. Many of you loved the programme - but some of you also found the strong language an instant turn off, especially at 9.30am. Helen Lewis tells Andrea why the team believed keeping the expletives in was crucial to telling the story.
A recent episode of File On 4, Radio 4’s flagship weekly investigative programme, explored whether diet groups like Slimming World can fuel eating disorders. After it was broadcast, lots of listeners got in touch in to complain that the programme lacked proper balance.
Listeners to Radio 1’s Breakfast show with Greg James have been left wondering where their news has gone. Newsbeat bulletins have shrunk from three minutes to just one. Professor Steven Barnett from the University Of Westminster sheds some light on the station's commitment to news.
And weather man Simon King is here to reveal why he ended up Breathless in Salford
Presented by Andrea Catherwood
Produced by Leeanne Coyle
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

Andrea Catherwood talks to Rachel Burden, the presenter of Cafe Hope, about the need to hear more positive stories, and gets your views on the new programme.
She also hears the thoughts of Book of the Week fans, which has moved to a new, later timeslot, in part to make room for Cafe Hope, as part of the recent schedule changes at Radio 4.
Following last week’s discussion on the future of the BBC and the way it is funded, more of you have been adding your thoughts to the licence fee reform debate.
And what's happening with Radio 4 Long Wave? The Daily Service and Yesterday in Parliament have been moved to Radio 4 Extra in anticipation of the Long Wave frequency being shut down, but it's now due to be running until June next year. So why has the Long Wave goodbye got longer? Andrea speaks to the BBC's Head of Distribution and Radio 4’s Station Executive - joining the dots between the Shipping Forecast and Smart Meters!
Presented by Andrea Catherwood
Produced by Leeanne Coyle
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

Are the days of the BBC licence fee numbered and, if so, what might replace it? In the week that the licence fee goes up by £10, we’re asking you to give us your views on the corporation’s future funding model. Matt Walsh, Head of Cardiff University’s Journalism School gives us his take.
The Radio 4 Schedule changes have now kicked in, but what research were the decisions based on? Andrea puts your questions to Alison Winter, Head of Audiences, Radio and Education at the BBC.
And Strike Boy is a 10-part series which follows the son of a striking Nottinghamshire miner as he uncovers the motivations and memories of some of those involved in the 1984 miners’ strike. For this week’s Vox Box, two listeners who have their own personal connections to the strikes, cast an ear over the Radio 4 series - and the producer responds to their comments.
Presented by Andrea Catherwood
Produced by Leeanne Coyle
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

The BBC’s Royal Correspondent Jonny Dymond reflects on recent coverage of the Royal family and the Princess of Wales' revelation of her cancer diagnosis, responding to listener comments. And Robin Edwards who was editing Radio 4’s 6 o’clock news on the day of the Princess' announcement, talks about the dilemma he faced when reports of the Moscow shooting started to come through just ten minutes before they went on air.

Also, we hear listeners express their views on the news that Radio 4's Law In Action has come to an end after nearly 40 years. Joshua Rozenberg who presented the very first episode in 1984, as well as the last one, looks back on the series and gives us his thoughts on why it was axed.

And the BBC has reversed a decision to shorten the length of In Touch – Radio 4’s programme for blind and partially sighted people. Anna Tylor from the Royal National Institute Of Blind People gives us her reaction.

Presented by Andrea Catherwood
Produced by Leeanne Coyle
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

This week you’ve been giving us your views on the Woman’s Hour series on the impact of pornography. We dig a little deeper into the issue with Ruth McDermott, a listener who has specialist knowledge of covering sensitive topics.
The BBC is planning to run adverts on some of its audio content on third party platforms like, Apple and Spotify. We speak to Audio Industry Consultant Matt Deegan to get his take on it.
And from April 1st, Tweet Of The Day is disappearing from the weekday schedule, to be replaced by Tweet of the Week. The news has ruffled a few feathers. We hear listeners' reaction and get the inside track on what goes in to making these much-loved snippets of birdsong from wildlife sound recordist Chris Watson.
Presented by Andrea Catherwood
Produced by Leeanne Coyle
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4