BBC Radio 5 live starts 2018 with three new shows and three new podcasts

Salford, UK - Some of the biggest names in broadcasting start the New Year with new shows and new podcasts from BBC Radio 5 live.

Emma Barnett, Adrian Chiles, Colin Murray and Will Gompertz will all start new projects for the news and sport station, which has a reputation for innovation.

There will be three new shows in 5 live’s schedule starting in early 2018. Three new podcasts will also launch, following the success of a number of chart-topping podcast launches in 2017.

Broadcaster Emma Barnett starts an extra show on BBC Radio 5 live. It comes after Emma consistently broke big news stories and secured big-name interviews throughout 2017.

She will present her mid-morning show four days a week from Monday 8 January. She currently presents the programme three days a week.

Her increased role follows a year of scoops and headline-grabbing interviews that have seen Emma emerge as one of the top new talents in UK broadcasting.

The Emma Barnett Show will be broadcast Mondays to Thursdays between 10am and 1pm. The programme will aim to set the agenda while involving listeners in the on-air conversation.

Adrian Chiles takes on a brand new slot on Friday mornings from 10am until 1pm. Chiles on Friday will see Adrian use his trademark wit and warmth to look ahead to the weekend’s biggest entertainment and sporting events.

Then from Thursday 11 January, Adrian takes over the helm of BBC Radio 5 live’s Question Time Extra Time, a spin-off from BBC One’s Question Time, in which the audience and guests continue the political discussion immediately after the BBC One show has concluded.

This January BBC Radio 5 live is also launching three new podcast series. The station topped the digital charts last year with podcasts including Flintoff, Savage and the Ping Pong Guy, the political junkie’s favourite podcast Brexitcast, and real crime documentary Beyond Reasonable Doubt.

A new fitness and health podcast will launch just as everyone looks to get into shape in January. Fit & Fearless will be presented by three new talents, the personal trainers and social media sensations Tally Rye, Zanna Van Dijk and Victoria Spence, who have a big following as the #girlgains. The three friends will be sharing their personal experiences and giving expert tips on fitness and body confidence. The first podcast will be available to download on Wednesday 10 January 2018.

The BBC’s Arts Editor Will Gompertz returns to 5 live to front a new podcast taking a sideways look at the arts scene in Arts Club With Will Gompertz. He’ll be joined by some of the UK’s brightest stand-ups, artists, musicians, bloggers and a few surprising and unexpected guests. The show will be recorded in front of a live audience.

At Home With Colin Murray returns with a brand new series in January. Colin will interview, in his irreverent style, top sports stars in the comfort of their own homes. His guests include athlete Paula Radcliffe, golfer Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnson, World Champion motorcycle racer Jonathan Rae who was runner up in the BBC Sport Personality of the Year 2017, and a host of top footballers.

Jonathan Wall, Controller BBC Radio 5 live says “It’s great to start World Cup year on 5 live with some brilliant new presenters and shows. We never want to stop innovating our on air schedule, whilst at the same time continuing our big podcast success story of 2017.”

List of new shows:

• Monday 8 January – The Emma Barnett Show, Monday to Thursday every week 10am to 1pm
• Wednesday 10 January – Fit & Fearless Podcast presented by Tally Rye, Zanna Van Dijk & Victoria Spence
• Thursday 11 January – Question Time Extra Time presented by Adrian Chiles every Thursday, 10pm
• Friday 12 January – Chiles on Friday, presented by Adrian Chiles every Friday 10am to 1pm
• Late January – At Home With Colin Murray Podcast
• Late January – Arts Club With Will Gompertz Podcast