

Americast
BBC News
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.You can register for Castfest tickets here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/castfest-2026
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.You can register for Castfest tickets here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/castfest-2026
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 4, 2020 • 30min
Act II
As Donald Trump prematurely declares victory, Emily, Jon, Anthony and Ron Christie discuss which paths to the White House are still in play.Also, will the swing states be decided in the Supreme Court? And our Texan Trump supporter Ryan returns to the podcast.Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Natalie Ktena, Morgan Gisholt Minard, Caitlin Hanrahan
Editor: Dino Sofos

Nov 4, 2020 • 37min
Hot Takes
What a night! Emily, Jon, Anthony and Nick Bryant get together to bring you the story of election night so far. We don’t have a winner, and it could be a long time until we do. We recorded this at midnight EST / 5am GMT.Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Harriet Noble, Morgan Gisholt Minard, Caitlin Hanrahan
Assistant Editor: Emma Close
Editor: Dino Sofos

Oct 30, 2020 • 32min
The Boss v The King of Europe
As the candidates roll out the red carpet, Emily, Jon and Anthony explain how Lil Wayne, Bruce Springsteen and Nigel Farage are attempting to bring out the votes. Campaign insiders Guy Cecil and Jenna Ellis make their final pitches for their candidate to be President. And the team bring you Americast’s ultimate guide to election night.Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena
Assistant Editor: Emma Close
Editor: Dino Sofos

Oct 28, 2020 • 40min
Workin’ our asses off
With less than a week until election day, Jon, Emily and Anthony consider the candidates’ final pitches to the American people. BBC News at Ten's Clive Myrie joins us from Arizona where he’s been reporting on coronavirus and race. And remember Heather, our undecided voter who we heard from after the first debate? She’s back, and she’s no longer undecided…Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Harriet Noble, Natalie Ktena and Morgan Gisholt Minard
Editor: Dino Sofos

Oct 23, 2020 • 38min
Muted
With record early voter turnout, Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss whether the candidates’ calm and focused performances will make a difference at the ballot. Also, one Texan tells us whether the night’s events have made him question his early vote. And how former President Barack Obama is trying to get inside Trump’s head.Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena
Editor: Dino Sofos

Oct 21, 2020 • 43min
Hunter Biden's Laptop
Donald Trump thinks the media should be talking about the content of Joe Biden’s son Hunter’s old laptop; we explain why they’re not. Plus with polls favouring Joe Biden, Emily, Jon and Anthony look at how Trump could beat the odds to a second term in the White House. And as the Democrats try to flip the Senate, we find out how sexting and the price of soybeans could shape the race. Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena
Editor: Dino Sofos

Oct 16, 2020 • 43min
Crazy Uncle and Sleepy Joe
As Donald Trump and Joe Biden field voter questions at the same time on different TV networks, Emily, Jon and Anthony compare their performances. And we "Americanswer" why swing states are so swingy.Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Harriet Noble, Natalies Ktena and Morgan Gisholt Minard
Assistant Editor: Emma Close
Editor: Dino Sofos

Oct 13, 2020 • 41min
Macho Macho Man?
Just over a week after leaving hospital, President Trump returned to the campaign trail with a big rally in Florida. It's a crucial state, and in this episode we explain why it might decide the election, and hear from the voters who could swing it.Studio director: Wayne Moses
Producers: Harriet Noble, Natalie Ktena and Morgan Gisholt Minard
Assistant Editor: Emma Close
Editor: Dino Sofos

Oct 8, 2020 • 35min
The Debate Buzz
Jon, Emily and Anthony talk us through the flies, the highs and lows of the VP debate in Utah. And two undecided voters tell us if the candidates' sparring on race helped them make their pick.Studio director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena
Assistant Editor: Emma Close
Editor: Dino Sofos

Oct 6, 2020 • 32min
Trump On Steroids
Emily, Jon and Anthony describe the scene as Donald Trump leaves hospital in a helicopter, takes off his mask and returns to the White House.Studio Director: Matt Howells
Producer: Harriet Noble
Editor: Dino Sofos


