[calpaterson]

> the amazing resources of BBC radio (that precede all modern internet podcasts and the best of which still wipe the floor with most of them) are often forgotten

I don't know, there are some definite bright spots like IOT but the typical output of Radio 4 is definitely not massively in advance of the big podcasts. The Rest Is History/Politics are clearly hugely popular inside the UK and basically constitute "the competition" for your average R4 listener.

I actually think that the podcast model is a big threat for traditional radio. Podcasts are much more lucrative for the makers, the reach is as-big (or bigger) and you don't have to negotiate with the government like R4 does.

[physicsguy]

There are podcasts I like but a lot of the popular ones in the UK are very self indulgent. The Rest Is Politics is definitely one of those. They're also able to be opinionated in a way that the BBC's output obviously can't be as a state broadcaster. I always find the BBC output more professionally scripted, presented and edited as well, even if the content is similar. Some podcasts are horrendous at not balancing the audio - Not Another One (politics) is one of those even though I think it's great.

[mellosouls]

the typical output of Radio 4 is definitely not massively in advance

I agree, I chose the wording "best of" rather than "typical" for that reason.

For instance, I regret the asinine tendency to provide "humourous" expositions of subjects in the various programmes co-chaired by second-rate comedians and apparently aimed at what low-expectations BBC execs feel young people can handle.

[secondcoming]

I was a massive fan of TRIP at the start but these days I find it tedious to listen to sometimes.

[Thaliana]

The News Agents has almost entirely replaced TRIP for me. I still like some of their Leading interviews but TRIP itself I've gone right off.

[adammarples]

TRIP was formed in the turbulence of the crashing conservative governerment and it was a breath of fresh air to have people close to the inside who were commenting on unfolding events nearly daily while also saying all the things that traditional media didn't. I looked forward to TRIP every time Boris blundered so that I could hear the guys disect it with a few personal anecdotes thrown in from their time in power. Now, there's nothing much new about hearing Alasdair talk about Tony Blair again and I don't think the centrist dad approach has anything much to say about Kier Starmer's government.