Unspun World with John Simpson: Full TV Schedule and Live Stream

An honest, unvarnished review of the week's global news stories. BBC world affairs editor John Simpson and experts from across the world ditch the spin and get to the news.

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Upcoming on Live TV

Channel Episode Time
Upcoming Release
Unspun World with John Simpson
Unspun World provides an unvarnished version of the week's major global news stories - reliable, honest and essential viewing with the BBC's world affairs editor, John Simpson.
Your Time
Wed 22 Apr · 22:05
UK
Wed 22 Apr · 22:05
Channel
BBC Two
Upcoming Release
Episode
Unspun World with John Simpson
Unspun World provides an unvarnished version of the week's major global news stories - reliable, honest and essential viewing with the BBC's world affairs editor, John Simpson.
Time
Your Time
Wed 22 Apr · 22:05
UK
Wed 22 Apr · 22:05

Available for Streaming

Series 5 12/11/2025

12/11/2025

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses why Russia is so keen to capture the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11pm 12 Nov 2025
Availability: Available for 11 months (until 12 Nov 2026)
Series 5 05/11/2025

05/11/2025

John Simpson explores war-weariness in Russia and the problem it poses for the Kremlin, and examines the government shutdown in the United States.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11pm 5 Nov 2025
Availability: Available for 11 months (until 05 Nov 2026)
Series 5 29/10/2025

29/10/2025

John Simpson analyses Donald Trump's approach to dealing with China, examines the United States' rivalry with China in South East Asia and explores what the future holds for Benjamin Netanyahu.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11:05pm 29 Oct 2025
Availability: Available for 11 months (until 29 Oct 2026)
Series 5 22/10/2025

22/10/2025

John Simpson analyses whether Hamas will lay down its weapons in Gaza, and looks at how other Jihadist groups have responded to the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11pm 22 Oct 2025
Availability: Available for 11 months (until 22 Oct 2026)
Series 5 15/10/2025

15/10/2025

John Simpson explores who will actually be running Gaza in the wake of the ceasefire there and examines the escalating trade war between China and the United States.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11:10pm 15 Oct 2025
Availability: Available for 11 months (until 15 Oct 2026)
Series 5 08/10/2025

08/10/2025

John Simpson analyses whether, two years on from the October 7th attacks, peace in Gaza is now possible, looks at what it is like for Western journalists in Russia and examines sanctions on Iran.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11:15pm 8 Oct 2025
Availability: Available for 10 months (until 08 Oct 2026)
Series 5 01/10/2025

01/10/2025

John Simpson analyses Donald Trump’s plan for peace in the Middle East and examines why Russia is risking further conflict in Europe by provoking NATO.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11pm 1 Oct 2025
Availability: Available for 10 months (until 01 Oct 2026)
Series 5 24/09/2025

24/09/2025

John Simpson analyses what effect the recognition of Palestine as a state might have, examines whether Syria is back in the international fold, and looks at the latest restrictions in Afghanistan.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11pm 24 Sep 2025
Availability: Available for 10 months (until 24 Sep 2026)
Series 5 17/09/2025

17/09/2025

John Simpson and experts examine the relationship between Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump, Israeli's strike at Qatar and the widening split between Europe and the United States over Israel and Gaza.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11pm 17 Sep 2025
Availability: Available for 10 months (until 17 Sep 2026)
Series 5 10/09/2025

10/09/2025

John Simpson analyses whether the latest political crisis in France is a sign of long-term decline, and examines the reasons for the simmering tensions between Cambodia and Thailand.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11pm 10 Sep 2025
Availability: Available for 9 months (until 10 Sep 2026)
Series 5 02/07/2025

02/07/2025

John Simpson analyses the way that Donald Trump conducts foreign policy and examines reaction in Israel to their conflict with Iran.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11pm 2 Jul 2025
Availability: Available for 7 months (until 02 Jul 2026)
Series 5 25/06/2025

25/06/2025

John Simpson analyses whether the Iranian regime has successfully weathered the storm caused by the attacks from Israel and the United States.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11pm 25 Jun 2025
Availability: Available for 7 months (until 25 Jun 2026)
Series 5 18/06/2025

18/06/2025

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses whether Israel's attacks could topple the Iranian regime.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11pm 18 Jun 2025
Availability: Available for 7 months (until 18 Jun 2026)
Series 5 11/06/2025

11/06/2025

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's range of experts across the world, analyses Donald Trump’s decision to send in troops to tackle protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11pm 11 Jun 2025
Availability: Available for 6 months (until 11 Jun 2026)
Series 5 04/06/2025

04/06/2025

This week John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the impact of the election of a right wing President on Poland's government.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11pm 4 Jun 2025
Availability: Available for 6 months (until 04 Jun 2026)
Series 5 28/05/2025

28/05/2025

John Simpson analyses whether criticism from within Israel will force Netanyahu's government to change its approach to the war in Gaza.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11pm 28 May 2025
Availability: Available for 6 months (until 28 May 2026)
Series 5 21/05/2025

21/05/2025

James Landale analyses the UK's new deal with the EU, looks at the possible impact of the lifting of US sanctions in Syria and examines scientists' attempts to discover the origin of life itself.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11pm 21 May 2025
Availability: Available for 6 months (until 21 May 2026)
Series 5 14/05/2025

14/05/2025

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, asks what the government of Benjamin Netanyahu really wants to do with Gaza.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 14 May 2025
Availability: Available for 5 months (until 14 May 2026)
Series 5 07/05/2025

07/05/2025

John Simpson analyses Russia's strategy in the war against Ukraine, looks at the preparations the Polish are making for a possible Russian invasion and examines escalating tensions in the West Bank.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11pm 7 May 2025
Availability: Available for 5 months (until 07 May 2026)
Series 5 30/04/2025

30/04/2025

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the role Donald Trump played in the Liberal Party's election victory in Canada.
Duration: 26 mins First broadcast: 11pm 30 Apr 2025
Availability: Available for 5 months (until 30 Apr 2026)

Unspun World with John Simpson FAQs

When is Unspun World with John Simpson next on?

The next broadcast of Unspun World with John Simpson airs at Wed 22 Apr · 22:05(UK: Wed 22 Apr · 22:05) on BBC Two.

Which channel is Unspun World with John Simpson next on?

Unspun World with John Simpson returns on BBC Two next. Check the listings above for every upcoming airing.

When will Unspun World with John Simpson be available on iPlayer?

Episodes land on BBC iPlayer just after the show finishes airing. Use the streaming section above to jump in as soon as it drops.

View Unspun World with John Simpson on BBC