Americast

by BBC Radio
259
Government #12

Americast is the authoritative US news and politics podcast from the BBC. Each week we provide audiences with the best analysis from across the BBC, with on-the-ground observations and big picture insights about the stories which are defining America right now. The podcast is hosted by trusted BBC journalists including the BBC’s North America editor, Sarah Smith, BBC Radio 4 presenter, Justin Webb, the BBC’s disinformation and social media correspondent, Marianna Spring, and BBC North America correspondent, Anthony Zurcher. As well as political analysis, we also specialise in social media. Each week Marianna Spring brings listeners the latest updates from the BBC’s Undercover Voters, our award-winning investigation into the content that is recommended to US voters on social media. The team is also joined by special guests each week, like CNN anchor, Christiane Amanpour, Emmy Award-winning TV host, Rachel Maddow, and Succession actress, J Smith-Cameron. Podcasts are published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As well as being a podcast, we are also available every Friday on the World Service. Oh, and by the way, you can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say ‘”Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers. Every Monday we answer your questions on Americanswers, with some help from special guests, including Miles Taylor, who was chief of staff at the Department for Homeland Security during the Trump presidency before becoming a whistleblower. Got a question or a comment? Get in touch with us on email at Americast@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

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Recent Reviews
  • cl082087
    Disappointed
    This podcast speaks so highly of Trump it’s disgusting. They don’t look at anything he does with scrutiny. People are protesting in the streets. We didn’t vote for Elon Musk.
  • Mic0131
    Garbage
    Just more MAGA propaganda. Thanks Americacast, but we have plenty of our own compromised media outlets right here in the US. Very disappointed in the BBC for sending us this trash when we need unbiased journalism the most.
  • Euro eiei eiei o
    Brits don’t know America
    It’s helpful to get a glimpse of the US through the eyes of Britain. But much of the reporting is ethnocentric, shortsighted, and judgmental.
  • saperlo
    Liberal Snobs stuck in 2016
    The presenters of this programme just can’t stop the bias. They go on and on about truth and credibility and yet absolutely fail to recognise the wholesale incompetence, corruption and abuse of power that was the Biden administration. They NEVER mention any of the lawfare, the venality, the downright lies that Biden told or the illegality and irresponsibility of their policies, such as the open border or their training of kids. They are completely captured by the liberal left, indeed they ARE the Liberal left. Now that the election is over it’s 2016 all over again for them. Everything the Trump administration does is wrong/illegal/corrupt/extreme/hard right, etc. No consideration is ever given to the effects of illegal immigration on schools, town halls, hospitals, etc. or the fact that 87% of ALL voters want illegal immigrants repatriated. This is the agenda President Trump ran and won on. He is doing what we want him to do. So reading out selected (or made up) comments from listeners along the lines of “by even covering this administration are you not also giving it legitimacy?” just shows you up. Look BBC, wake up to your own bias and arrogance and stop pretending to be genuinely reporting US politics. You’re not. You should just call yourself Libs Against Trump, it would be more accurate than “Americast”. You are NOT that
  • 2A liberal
    Like Nigel Farage is the editor
    The Elon Musk gesture was the last straw. He used to make a heart gesture with two hands and reach them both out. Americast couldn’t be bothered to note this
  • The Nameless Twin
    Fair and balanced
    I fell into Americast because I’ve enjoyed Marianna Springs’ other podcasts, and I truth the BBC more than just about any news-source here in the US. I’ll be honest, I’m a conservative, but one with a grave distrust of certain newer influences in the Republican Party. Suffice to say, I withdrew from GOP in 2016. Let the reader understand. This is a nice, concise capping of events here in the US, by people who are largely not invested in this me side over the other. As a result, it’s very balanced and I feel like I’m being given information I can use to do my own research.
  • Yaboitoast46
    It’s fallen off
    This podcast used to be a good and fairly unbiased view of American politics, but they have swung so far left it’s unbelievable, do better.
  • egwugwu
    Why Trump Won
    This episode was just terrible. Thinly reported and reflecting a poor understanding of the American political scene. I will unfollow. The need for good analysis of the coming four years is greater than ever, and this is not it. Not worth the time.
  • gmaknu
    Fanala of Americastala
    I so look forward to each episode of Americast. I love your perspective and humor. You help us Americans not to take ourselves so seriously while delivering accurate reporting. Please don't stop after the election!
  • speak,memory
    Not what I expect from the BBC
    Shockingly ill-informed male host
  • RP11374
    An insult to the BBC
    *Makes podcast about America* *Insults Americans, offers biased takes, does not fact check* An insult to the BBC.
  • Field357
    I love the BBC
    But this podcast isn’t needed. Or wanted.
  • Aly Murobou
    Too biased
    I used to be a loyal listener but lately Justin’s biases seem really to be showing. I was hoping for an outside perspective but his misogyny is really turning me off. Oh and Justin Melania is the first real feminist First Lady really??? Who do you expect to swallow that?
  • Bertie Champers
    SLOW DOWN THE AUDIO!!!!
    I’m an Englishman living in The USA and have enjoyed enough of the content in this podcast to give it a weekly listen. That was the case until recently when this and many other podcasters started to speed up their audio to a point where it’s nerve wracking. No, it’s not about the playback speed we can control in the podcast app because if I slow it down to .75 then it sounds too slow and laborious. Why have so many podcasters recently decided that their audiences want to listen to the audio at a million miles per hour? I don’t get it. The world’s bonkers enough. Podcasters, CALM DOWN!
  • TepidDuckPond
    Letting that Corporate Wartime bias show
    This was a decent show. The corporate bias is really showing though. To do entire podcast episodes on, “What’s going on with the Middle East and how is this effecting America?” Yet not once mentioning AIPAC or DMFI is negligent journalism. It’s all about the money in US politics and this show just treats that as a feature and not the malware. I can’t stomach listening anymore.
  • The Raging ArchBishop of Nod
    I’m an American
    I appreciate America’s for it’s unbiased take on American elections. However Justin seems to be lagging behind current events sometimes. In the most recent episodes he made the claim that Kamala Harris hasn’t been doing interviews, which is not a fair criticism considering that she has been doing tons. She had an interview with Oprah, has one coming up 60 minutes, her interview on the All the Smoke Podcast was a massive hit, and she’s done scores of local news and radio interviews. All in all a good podcast, but Justin, please stop putting your foot in your mouth lol
  • UKexpatcomingback
    It’s not pronounced Vaarnce. It’s Vance, like ants!!!!
    For God’s sake, where did you get “Vaarntz” from? It’s “Vance”, like “ants”. No-one has ever called him Vaarntz. BTW, totally for Harris - but you can hardly be annoyed by Trump’s “Kamaaarla” if you mispronounce like this. Just sayin’
  • DaphneQ2
    I’ve given up on Americast
    I can’t listen to Americast anymore — the guy sitting in London and the misinformation woman get just about everything wrong about Americans. Very annoying.
  • OofiOofster
    Actually an opinion show
    I can no longer listen to Justin & his subtle glorification of Trump. His disdain for Harris & any women in power is too evident. His fact checking is at level zero. Just call this an opinion show. It is not what one would expect from the BBC.
  • Sixth decade here
    Disappointed
    One of the BBC commentators seemed to not be very familiar with presidential candidate Harris’ strengths and the remarkable enthusiasm and financial support she’s inspired in her party in a very short time frame. It seemed odd and inappropriate how dismissive he was of her as a candidate. Maybe, he’s sore the conservatives got voted out in the UK?
  • თეთრისმოჩვენება
    Treadmill
    Lately this show seems to be over chewing its meal, to tedious effect. It’s a waste to use good journalists this way.
  • Dave Genet
    I’m An American
    I listen to multiple news sources. Americast is one of my favorites with its tolerant but appraising view of the U.S.
  • 1SurferG
    Good for America
    This podcast reminds me of PBS NewsHour with flare and I appreciate how you cover American news so well.
  • BibliophileG
    Used to enjoy
    I used to enjoy this podcast until I learned about the subtle influence of certain foreign propaganda (and using a trusted brand!!). I observed how often this BBC Podcast **uses vocabulary to promote** Trump, MAGA, and the white Christian nationalist ideals trying to ruin America, while professing to be “honest” Brits. Yikes.
  • yenooc2
    Too many sloppy errors
    In a podcast criticizing Biden for uncaught errors, one Americast pundit said Obama when he meant Biden, and another pundit said Biden when she meant to say Trump. Neither caught their errors, nor did the other pundits. This is ironic considering their topic, and very sloppy. The BBC is usually better than this sloppy mess.
  • Ricky Wayne Wisecup III
    Best I’ve heard
    As a 23 year old conservative American, American media has seemed too biased for me recently. Love how this program actively critiques both parties when it is due.
  • PleaseIn4me
    Iowa
    Good and interesting coverage of the Iowa vote. Thanks
  • Refd 3422
    British perspective of American politics
    Really enjoy listening to this podcast. The hosts are seasoned BBC journalists with a lot of knowledge of American politics. Each week they cover the top stories at the time. They often invite guests to discuss political events and tend to stay objective, pointing out the gaffes of either of the political parties. Overall, it’s just as entertaining to listen to them as it is informative.
  • Caarrina
    Not informed
    I feel the host doesn’t give any pushback to guests when they’re obviously spreading falsehoods. It makes it seem like the host doesn’t know what’s really going on and is taking this information as fact. As an American I really want a non-biased news outlet that will fact check things and ask hard questions instead of leaning back and nodding along.
  • Nardwuar Sr.
    State funded liberal media
    They defended Prince Andrew before the dumb general masses were aware of the story. They covered for Jimmy Seville who was raping special needs kids in asylums. Google it. They tried to set up Tommy Robinson for daring to cover Muslim rape gangs thereby supporting said gangs. This is all documented.
  • earthlingdave
    Mere punditry…
    Too many journalists have fallen into the laziness of punditry, both in how they discuss politics and how they train the audience to think of themselves as pundits, calling balls and strikes, as if we’re all DC-insiders. This is not a normal election and one hopes you would feel ti was your duty to educate the public on the facts of an unprecedented indictment not merely look at it through the lens of a political horserace. Mr. Webb, in particular, shamefully seemed to be a voice for the Trump supporters when he criticized the rationale behind the indictment and called it divisive. Should the US not prosecute obvious crimes? Should lawlessness become the norm so that the political horserace can continue uninterrupted? Mr. Trump pressured multiple states to send fake electors to Congress, willfully destabilizing our very system of government. The story here is the rise of a lawless autocrat who’s a coin toss away from the presidency, and the potential destruction of American democracy. Your punditry is too cute by half and out of step with the gravity of this moment.
  • Bill Leader
    Excellent news and opinion podcast
    Nice to hear the Brits view of America. The pod covers areas that are not often addressed by media here in the states. I look forward to each episode.
  • Mgrabanqqqq
    Embarrassing Elon interview
    The interviewer was embarrassingly week and underprepared. That was an hour I will never get back.
  • Walter's crying
    Covenant
    As and American, I do not think that you could possibly understand The USa by living and working in Washington, DC. It is not a real place. I lived and worked there on both sides of the aisle for 30 years. You cannot uderstand us as some kind of monolith. You certainly can’t analyze us that was. As my students say, do better.
  • zxxcb.
    2/23/23 Biden’s Visit to Ukraine
    I’ve listened to your show with as much enthusiasm as FOX News, stunningly disappointed. Listener Albuquerque NM
  • 😉💙🙃
    14 February 2023
    Your make believe voter Norman was terrible, hated his presentation, too overbearing … You all are so funny with your non existent followers. 🤣 I'm amazed with Biden’s record and many Americans are too, Biden will run again! 🙃
  • Mantis79
    Biased & Boring
    Not informative and the opinions are heavily filtered through a left viewpoint. Plus they stole the music from Red Pilled America! Much better podcast. Forget about this.
  • Norwich42
    really?
    oh, brother -- what bun
  • PR 3672
    Thanks for coming back!
    As an American, in a dark blue state, in a bright red county (Klamath), having a news source that has a different perspective is extremely useful in a topsy-turvy world. We in the US need all the perspective we can get! Thanks for being back!
  • Em1271
    One of the best podcasts
    Excellent information in an interesting format that is easy to digest
  • BaileyOSF
    Faulty podcast performance
    It takes a full day to be able to listen to your podcast. Never have issues with other podcasts. Always get an error message. About ready to delete for good.
  • Pod Save the whales
    Ron christy is the worst guest
    This March madness episode guest is an unabashed right wing shill who goes unchallenged this ep was just crazy whiplash
  • britishfashionguru
    I love this weekly dose of hilarious Political analysis!
    As a Brit living in Southern California I love listening to the British take on politics in America. In 2020 during the election, Americast was the sane and hilarious take on the election that could only come from a British sensibility. I continue to listen every week, all 3 presenters are fantastic and I love listening to the guests they get on.
  • #jackienancyjack
    Texas
    As someone who lives in MN, I have zero sympathy for Texans who vote for Republicans who are fine with reaping the profits off fossil fuels but could not care less about the lives of Texans. As a taxpayer, I now have to bail out Texas who is taking Federal taxpayer money to fix the problems they create. So much for the fiction of Texas exceptionalism. They want to pretend they don’t need us but then want us to save them.
  • Stef-F88
    The Torvill and Dean of news podcasts
    As an old’ish angry Scotsman living in Los Angeles I pine (for more) and laugh and learn as these two untangle the mess of American politics into a Bolero of news and detail which will leave you content and more informed. Bravo.
  • Mukkuroni
    Excellent podcast
    On of the best political podcasts, professional, neutral, informative and funny.
  • cl65skip
    Don’t read this, just download it!
    As a Brit living in America, this podcast is essential listening to keep my toes dipped into both sides of the pond without drowning in the tsunami of 24 hour news. Great stuff!
  • avm1406
    Piers Morgan rocks!
    Wow! Not a fan of his.... only wish all republicans eyes would open their eyes to the fraud that Trump is!
  • Irish Girl 51%
    YES.. Ryan!!!
    Loved everything he said! Please have him back on again.
  • kfigluc
    What is that noise???
    Enjoy your podcast but today, January 14, whoever is clicking that pen ( or pen like noise) needs to stop it right now!!! Ohhh that is super annoying. I’m actually going to close this podcast for the day… That’s unfortunate. Let all your people know those microphones are on fire we here it all people…
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