20 Best BBC Radio 3 Podcasts
BBC Radio 3 Podcasts
Here are 20 Best BBC Radio 3 Podcasts worth listening to in 2026. Subscribe in one place on FeedSpot Reader.
Export Contact List1. Arts & Ideas
Play
Website Apple Spotify YouTube
Leading thinkers discuss the ideas shaping our lives looking back at the news and making links between past and present. Broadcast as Free Thinking, Fridays at 9pm on BBC Radio 4. Presented by Matthew Sweet, Shahidha Bari and Anne McElvoy.MORE Hosts Matthew Sweet, Shahidha Bari, Anne McElvoy
Producer/Network BBC Radio 4
Email ****@bbc.co.uk
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.3/5Apple Reviews 777Facebook 1.8MTwitter 490.5KInstagram 473.6K Avg Length 57 min Format Long form Get Email Contact Get access to full database of 2.7M podcastsCreate podcast lists, export in spreadsheet or CSV file with email contacts and start your podcast outreach in minutes.Sign Up for Free with Email Continue with Google
2. Composer of the Week
Play
Website Apple YouTube
BBC Radio 3's Composer Of The Week is a guide to composers and their music. The podcast is compiled from the week's programmes and published on Friday, it is only available in the UK.
Host Donald Macleod
Producer/Network BBC Radio 3
Email ****@bbc.co.uk
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 2/5Apple Reviews 662Facebook 176.2KTwitter 123.7K Avg Length 73 min Format Long form Get Email Contact
3. Private Passions
Play
Website Apple Spotify
Guests from all walks of life discuss their musical loves and hates, and talk about the influence music has had on their lives
Host Michael Fitzhardinge Berkeley
Producer/Network BBC Radio 3
Email ****@bbc.co.uk
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.3/5Apple Reviews 294Facebook 176.2KTwitter 123.7K Avg Length 52 min Format Long form Get Email Contact
4. Record Review Podcast
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Website Apple Spotify
Building a Library: a guide to the best recordings of the greatest classical music. Each week an expert and enthusiast brings along a wide range of recordings of a well-known piece. They explore the music and the different ways of performing it, ending with a recommendation for your libraryMORE Producer/Network BBC Radio 3
Email ****@bbc.co.uk
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 2.7/5Apple Reviews 243Facebook 176.2KTwitter 123.7K Avg Length 49 min Format Long form Get Email Contact
5. The Verb
Play
Website Apple Spotify YouTube
Radio 3's cabaret of the word, featuring the best poetry, new writing and performance
Host Ian McMillan
Producer/Network BBC Radio 4
Email ****@ian-mcmillan.co.uk
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.4/5Apple Reviews 158Facebook 61.3MTwitter 15.1M Avg Length 45 min Format Long form Get Email Contact
6. The Early Music Show
Play
Website Apple Spotify
An exploration of early music, looking at early developments in musical performance and composition in Britain and abroad. UK only: please note that not all episodes are podcast.
Host Hannah French
Producer/Network BBC Radio 3
Email ****@bbc.co.uk
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 3.2/5Apple Reviews 96Facebook 176.2KTwitter 123.7K Avg Length 33 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
7. Slow Radio
Play
Website Apple Spotify
An antidote to today's frenzied world. Step back, let go, immerse yourself: it's time to go slow.Listen to the sounds of birds, mountain climbing, monks chatting as you go about your day. A lo-fi celebration of pure sound.MORE Producer/Network BBC Radio 3
Email ****@bbc.co.uk
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 3.9/5Apple Reviews 368Facebook 176.2KTwitter 123.7K Avg Length 30 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
8. Sound of Gaming
Play
Website Apple Spotify
Radio 3's regular jaunt into the latest, brightest and best gaming soundtracks.
Hosts Elle Osili-Wood, Louise Blain, Jessica Curry
Producer/Network BBC Radio 3
Email ****@bbc.co.uk
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 34Facebook 176.2KTwitter 123.7K Avg Length 29 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
9. Classical Fix
Play
Website Apple Spotify
The podcast for classical newbies. If you fancy giving classical music a go, start here.
Producer/Network BBC Radio 3
Email ****@bbc.co.uk
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.8/5Apple Reviews 1.3KFacebook 176.2KTwitter 123.7K Avg Length 29 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
10. Between the Ears
Play
Website Apple Spotify
Innovative and thought-provoking features that make adventurous use of sound and explore a wide variety of subjects. Made by leading radio producers.
Producer/Network BBC Radio 3
Email ****@bbc.co.uk
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.7/5Apple Reviews 53Facebook 176.2KTwitter 123.7K Avg Length 30 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
11. Music Matters
Play
Website Apple Spotify
The stories that matter, the people that matter, the music that matters
Producer/Network BBC Radio 3
Email ****@bbc.co.uk
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 3.7/5Apple Reviews 54Facebook 176.2KTwitter 123.7K Avg Length 45 min Format Long form Get Email Contact
12. This Classical Life
Play
Website Apple Spotify
Jess Gillam hosts the music show for people who like classical and other stuff too. Music, eclectic playlists and chat, with a new guest every week.
Host Jess Gillam
Producer/Network BBC Radio 3
Email ****@bbc.co.uk
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.8/5Apple Reviews 163Facebook 176.2KTwitter 123.7K Avg Length 28 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
13. Music Planet: Road Trip
Play
Website Apple Spotify
Discover the world with music. Join local experts for a sonic journey around the globe.
Host Betto Arcos
Producer/Network BBC Radio 3
Email ****@bbc.co.uk
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.4/5Apple Reviews 64Facebook 176.2KTwitter 123.7K Avg Length 15 min Format Short form Get Email Contact
14. Sound of Cinema
Play
Website Apple Spotify
Matthew Sweet's weekly look at music for the screen
Host Matthew Sweet
Producer/Network BBC Radio 3
Email ****@mac.com
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 2.3/5Apple Reviews 149Facebook 176.2KTwitter 123.7K Avg Length 23 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
15. The Music & Meditation Podcast
Play
Website Apple Spotify
Join Izzy Judd to escape the noise of daily life through the power of music and meditation in the ultimate therapeutic podcast. Experience guided meditations covering themes such as refining work life balance, winding down for the night and easing social anxiety from a range of experts enhanced by an immersive classical soundtrack. And if you want the guided meditations without the chat, each one is available separately as a Ten Minute Meditation.MORE Host Izzy Judd
Producer/Network BBC Radio 3 Unwind
Email ****@hotmail.co.uk
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 133Facebook 176.2KTwitter 123.7K Avg Length 28 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
16. The Listening Service
Play
Website Apple Spotify
Rethink music with The Listening Service. Tom Service presents a journey of imagination and insight, exploring how music works
Host Tom Service
Producer/Network BBC Radio 3
Email ****@bbc.co.uk
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.2/5Apple Reviews 245Facebook 176.2KTwitter 123.7K Avg Length 30 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
17. The Essay
Play
Website Apple Spotify
Leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week - insight, opinion and intellectual surprise.
Producer/Network BBC Radio 3
Email ****@bbc.co.uk
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.2/5Apple Reviews 231Facebook 176.2KTwitter 123.7K Avg Length 14 min Format Short form Get Email Contact
18. The Radio 3 Documentary
Play
Website Apple Spotify
In-depth documentaries which explore a different aspect of history, science, philosophy, film, visual arts and literature. The Sunday Feature is broadcast every Sunday at 6.45pm on BBC Radio 3.MORE Producer/Network BBC Radio 3
Email ****@bbc.co.uk
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.4/5Apple Reviews 112Facebook 176.2KTwitter 123.7K Avg Length 41 min Format Long form Get Email Contact
BBC Radio 3 shows hosts and producers
| Podcaster Name | Role | Podcast Link | Gender | Twitter Handle | Twitter Followers | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Sweet | Co Host | bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0144txn/episodes/player | Male | ||||
| Shahidha Bari | Co Host | bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0144txn/episodes/player | Female | ||||
| Anne McElvoy | Co Host | bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0144txn/episodes/player | Female | ||||
| Donald Macleod | Host | bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02nrvd3/episodes/player | Male | @donaldmacleod01 | 8.2K | London, United Kingdom | |
| Michael Fitzhardinge Berkeley | Host | bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tnv3/episodes/player | Male | @michaelberkele2 | London, United Kingdom | ||
| Ian McMillan | Host | bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/b006tnsf | Male | @imcmillan | 61.6K | Barnsley, United Kingdom | |
| Hannah French | Host | bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tn49/episodes/player | Female | @hannahcfrench | London, United Kingdom | ||
| Elle Osili-Wood | Co Host | bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0009rfp/episodes/player | Female | @elleosiliwood | 24.2K | ||
| Louise Blain | Co Host | bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0009rfp/episodes/player | Female | @shiny_demon | 9.2K | Los Angeles, CA, United States | |
| Jessica Curry | Co Host | bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0009rfp/episodes/player | Female | ||||
| Jess Gillam | Host | bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00040ch/episodes/player | Female | @jessgillamsax | 10.6K | United Kingdom | |
| Betto Arcos | Host | bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02nrw3w/episodes/player | Male | ||||
| Matthew Sweet | Host | bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/b03bzf92 | Male | @drmatthewsweet | 66.6K | London, United Kingdom | |
| Izzy Judd | Host | bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00175qd/episodes/player | Female | @mrs_izzyjudd | London, United Kingdom | ||
| Tom Service | Host | bbc.co.uk/programmes/b078n25h/episodes/player | Male |