Episodes 599
Avg. Duration 33m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 3.9 (430)
Since Jan 2020
Latest Episode Jun 2026

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Every Few Days
Format
Episodic
Consistency
73%
Hosting
podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk

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About This Podcast

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 [email protected] or WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

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Recent Episodes

The Democrats fight back Trump-style in Maine… but have they messed up?

Jun 11, 2026 39m

There are new allegations against Graham Platner, the confirmed Democratic senate candidate in Maine. The small north eastern state which borders Canada is at the centre of a fierce debate within…

Americanswers… on 5 Live! Why did Trump walk out of his TV interview with Meet The Press?

Jun 08, 2026 28m

The US president was being questioned in Wisconsin when he walked out - what happened and why has the clip gone viral? In this episode, Anthony, Marianna and Sumi answer your questions with Matt…

The most expensive World Cup ever? (With Football Daily, part 3)

Jun 05, 2026 32m

We’ve got together with Americast/Newscast and Football Daily for three special episodes on what could be the most political World Cup ever.How much will Donald Trump make it about him? Will the…

Will War Overshadow the World Cup? (With Football Daily, part 2)

Jun 05, 2026 25m

We’ve got together with Americast/Newscast and Football Daily for three special episodes on what could be the most political World Cup ever.How much will Donald Trump make it about him? Will the…

Will this be the Donald Trump World Cup? (With Football Daily, part 1)

Jun 05, 2026 30m

We’ve got together with Americast/Newscast and Football Daily for three special episodes on what could be the most political World Cup ever.How much will Donald Trump make it about him? Will the…

Why Democrats think they can win back Iowa from Trump

Jun 03, 2026 31m

Could Democrats flip Iowa from the Republicans? It’s a state Trump has won three times and Republicans have dominated for more than a decade. The last senate race the Democrats won there was Barack…

Americanswers... on 5 Live! Is the Trump administration checking tourists' social media?

Jun 01, 2026 25m

Why have artists pulled out of a festival celebrating America's 250th birthday in Washington DC ? The Great American State Fair is planned on the National Mall between 25th June and 10th July but…

Does the US need new laws to protect elections?

May 29, 2026 31m

US presidents have always told lies. Richard Nixon famously lied to Congress over his knowledge of the Watergate scandal while Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives after…

Are the Democrats ready to win in Texas?

May 27, 2026 25m

The Senate race for Texas could decide which party controls Congress in November’s midterm elections, and some Democrats think the state could be theirs for the first time since 1988. It follows…

The political fight for American men

May 25, 2026 37m

There was a gender divide in the US in 2024 and one of the criticisms of the failed Democrat presidential campaign was that they appealed to women and largely ignored men. So, with the midterms…

Will Trump invade Cuba?

May 22, 2026 39m

What is President Trump’s plan for the future of Cuba? His oil blockade has crippled the island’s economy and could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe. He has indicted former President Raul Castro…

Trump gets “forever” immunity on his past tax affairs

May 20, 2026 31m

US tax authorities will be barred from pursuing claims against Donald Trump, some members of his family and the Trump organisation. This pledge is part of an extraordinary new settlement, announced…

Americanswers... on 5 Live! Has Zohran Mamdani achieved a miracle in New York?

May 18, 2026 27m

NYC’s new mayor says his new budget will save the city billions without having to cut key services. In a social media post, Zohran Mamdani told New Yorkers his administration “uncovered a $12 billion…

Why Democrats are panicking about losing California

May 15, 2026 40m

It’s the world’s fourth largest economy, with over 40 million people and home to some of the world’s most powerful tech companies. So why aren’t the Democratic party’s biggest names queuing up for a…

Does Trump need China to end the war in Iran?

May 13, 2026 29m

It’s Donald Trump vs President Xi, as the US president is on his first China visit in nearly a decade. A fragile truce exists after both countries came close to a fully blown trade war last year, and…

Americanswers! Vance vs Rubio… who will take over from Trump in 2028?

May 11, 2026 37m

A viral video of Marco Rubio has sparked speculation over who might take over the Republican party in 2028. Whilst president Trump muses over his successor, reportedly asking his advisors whether…

Trump takes his revenge on disloyal Republicans

May 08, 2026 36m

The US president is going after his fellow Republicans in Kentucky and Indiana. Donald Trump is getting involved in key state primaries - often in cases where US presidents don’t intervene - urging…

Is Donald Trump close to finishing his war with Iran?

May 06, 2026 27m

What is really going on beyond the rhetoric? We unpick the mixed messages from the Trump administration with the war on Iran. It started with the president unveiling “Project Freedom”, a US operation…

Americanswers… LIVE at Castfest! Who could lead the Democrats into 2028?

May 04, 2026 41m

Sarah’s recent phone call with Donald Trump told us more about the president’s thoughts on the war with Iran, as well as his relationship with the UK and NATO allies, but what’s he like when he’s…

Will ICE agents stay away from the 2026 World Cup?

May 03, 2026 27m

Controversy continues to surround the build-up to the 2026 World Cup after reports emerged that Trump officials had asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy at the tournament, and that some fans would…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Americast have?

Americast has published 599 episodes since January 2020, covering topics in Government, News.

Is Americast still active?

Americast is currently highly active with new episodes every few days. Average episode length is 33m.

How do I contact Americast for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Americast, including email and social media links.

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