The death of Pope Francis on the 21st April understandably led to a wave of media coverage, but did the BBC get it right? Andrea Catherwood puts your views to Aleem Maqbool, Religion Editor for BBC News, and hears about what it takes to prepare for such a solemn occasion. And what did listeners think of the episode of Witness History that came directly after the Pope's Requiem Mass on the Sunday morning?

Listeners talk about Clive Myrie's Music on the Front Line which returned for another series as part of Radio 3's Music Matters this Spring. Clive interviews fellow journalists about the music they've turned to while reporting from some of the world's most dangerous conflict zones.

And you might have noticed a questionnaire - Our BBC, Our Future - in your email inbox recently, asking what you watch and listen to and your thoughts on the future of the Corporation. We hear your reactions, and Andrea talks to Professor Matt Walsh, Head of the Journalism School at the University of Cardiff, about the biggest public engagement exercise the BBC has carried out.

Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

In last week's episode we announced that the BBC will be continuing to allow access to BBC Sounds for international listeners until adequate alternative provisions have been put in place. This week, we hear listeners' reaction to the BBC's statement.

Elizabeth and Jack are grandmother and grandson, and are also Radio 4 listeners. When Elizabeth got in contact with Feedback to tell us that she regularly sends her grandson recommendations for listening material, Andrea was curious to know more - so she invited them into the studio to share their perspectives on what the BBC can provide for listeners from different generations.

Although it seems like many BBC Audio programmes have fallen under the axe recently, In Our Time has show no signs of slowing down since its inaugural episode in 1998. Listeners Hamish and Nick try to explain its cult classic appeal in our Feedback VoxBox.

Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown Scotland Production for BBC Radio 4

After the news that Radio 3 was to cancel its drama commissions, Radio 4 has come forward with an alternative - a new monthly slot for a long-form 90 minute drama. Andrea speaks to Nicola Baldwin from The Writers' Guild of Great Britain about the new entry in BBC Radio's drama programming. We also hear about this development from Alison Hindell, Radio 4's Commissioning Editor for Drama and Fiction.

And continuing the theme of new additions to BBC Radio's schedules, Andrea talks to Tom McKinney, who has taken over from Petroc Trelawney on Radio 3's Breakfast programme. He's brought with him a whole aviary of bird calls to wake listeners up with the dawn chorus - but are they enjoying it?

Finally, there's an update on the future of BBC Sounds for overseas listeners.

Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

It was announced months ago that the 5.30am News Briefing would be removed from Radio 4's early morning schedule due to budget constraints, but the changes didn't come into place until the beginning of last week. For some of those who include Radio 4 within their morning routines, the change has been a rude awakening. We hear your reactions to the replacement in this week's episode of Feedback.

Since 2021, Add to Playlist has been taking listeners on a voyage of musical discovery through a never ending playlist, added to by the presenters and guests - and it might be the only place on Radio 4 where you can hear Tchaikovsky and Eminem in quick succession. Andrea Catherwood puts your comments about the most recent series to presenters Jeffrey Boakye, Anna Phoebe, and editor Tim Prosser.

And we've had a number of different questions in the inbox this week that just need a simple answer from the BBC. We've got answers for you.

Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

A Point of View has officially left the airwaves after a long run on BBC Radio 4, with Howard Jacobsen writing and presenting the final episode. Feedback announced the exclusive news on last week's programme, but it was before listeners had time to react. This week, Andrea Catherwood presents your opinions on the end of the Sunday morning single voice opinion slot.

We're still getting listener questions about the changes to BBC Sounds overseas, and so this week Andrea talks to cricketer and journalist Simon Hughes about the worldwide coverage of Test Match Special.

Finally, it's been five years since the first COVID lockdowns were announced, in the spring of 2020. Factual series Lockdown's Legacy looked back on the impact the society-wide restrictions had on a range of people - from children, to teachers, to medics. Some listeners found it impactful, but others had a different point of view. Commissioner Hugh Levinson returns to respond to your comments and critiques.

Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

Andrea Catherwood shares exclusive news of the end of a long-running Radio 4 programme. Frequent contributors and the programme's commissioning editor give their thoughts on the well-known brand as it nears its final episode.

BBC Sounds is soon to become unavailable outside of the UK. Listeners from all over the world have been in touch to voice their disappointment about the changes, and we've heard in particular from people in the Republic of Ireland who tune into BBC Radio content from north of the border. Will the geo-blocking cause unintended political ramifications? Andrea discusses the issue with Shane Harrison, former BBC correspondent in Dublin.

Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

As the news spreads about access to BBC Sounds being blocked outside the UK, we hear more of your comments on the issue. Andrea Catherwood speaks to Radio Cymru reporter Alun Thomas about what these changes will mean for Welsh speakers living abroad.

A recent episode of Radio 4's Inside Health about hearing loss intrigued listeners - and then baffled those experiencing hearing loss themselves by including a section that was particularly difficult to hear.

After listeners criticised a recent Archers storyline about Linda Snell fasting for Ramadan, we hear from the people who found it enlightening and uplifting.

And what did Martha Kearney do after Today? Well, she's been talking to more public figures - but this time, it's all about their personal connections to nature. Two listeners, Christine and Kate, review her series This Natural Life for our VoxBox. Martha joins Andrea to respond to their thoughts.

Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown Scotland production for Radio 4

Ramadan has featured prominently in The Archers in recent weeks with stalwart Lynda Snell joining the Malik family in fasting, and some listeners found the storyline unconvincing, even a bit preachy. Andrea speaks with Dr Cara Courage, co-founder of The Academic Archers.

Radio 4’s Today programme interview with Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick provoked a flurry of comments on the presenter’s line of questioning. We hear your views.

After Newscast, Americast and Ukrainecast, now there’s Scotcast! Andrea meets presenter Martin Geissler to find out how it’s covering Scottish news.

And listeners are responding in droves to the announcement BBC Sounds will soon no longer be available outside the UK.

Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Executive Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown Scotland production for Radio 4

Women listeners are quick to pick up on the total absence of girls from How Boarding Schools Shaped Britain, a documentary series presented by Nicky Campbell. Executive Producer Clare Fordham explains why it focused exclusively on boys and gives an apology for not acknowledging the omission in the programme.

BBC Sounds will soon only be available in the UK. The announcement has prompted many shocked overseas listeners to express how much they value this connection to home. Andrea Catherwood talks through the changes with James Cridland, Editor of Podnews.

And listeners continue to react to coverage of global events, this week critiquing the language used by news presenters to describe the unforgettable meeting in the Oval Office.

Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Executive Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown Scotland production for Radio 4

Radio 3 is cutting its long-running drama slot, and it's something that has elicited reactions from listeners, playwrights, and actors alike. Andrea Catherwood starts the new series of Feedback by discussing the changes with station controller Sam Jackson. She also speaks to the co-chair of the Writing Guild of Great Britain, Nicola Baldwin, about what made Radio 3 drama special.

Recent episodes of Desert Island Discs have been creating big reactions from listeners too - lawyer Nemone Lethbridge's choice of song 'I Wanna Go Back to Dixie' by American satirist Tom Lehrer was defended by the BBC, but was it a step too far for some listeners?

And as news teams across BBC Radio react to seismic world events, one listener gives his view on how the coverage has sounded to him.

Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

Andrea Catherwood presents the programme that hears your views on BBC audio.

This week, the first ever Feedback Forum brings together groups of keen listeners who enjoy all kinds of speech content. Radio 4 loyalists, together with younger listeners who don't own radios, and who get all their content "on-demand", share what they like and dislike from BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

There's a lot of enthusiasm for some of the network's long running favourites. In Our Time has been devoured by young and old listeners, who admire the 85 year old presenter, Melvyn Bragg, for his "sassiness" and authority.

The Archers, with it's new timeslots, and podcast, generates strong emotions, with the sentencing of George Grundy gripping the group.

The arrival of Emma Barnett on the Today programme brings praise for a more informal and youthful approach, but also some irritation with what one person says is too much ongoing enthusiasm for her new job.

Marianna Spring's library of content on conspiracies leads some in the group to consider their own listening, and there is a lively debate about whether a diet of pure "on-demand" content means algorithms pulling listeners into echo chambers.

2024 was a year of high audiences across all radio with Radio 4 attracting approaching 10 million listeners a week. But persuading the next generation to tune in is crucial to its long term future, so the production team ask some of the keen podcasters to try out some radio content. Find out if minds are changed in this special edition of Feedback.

Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Marie Helly Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4