HARDtalk is a BBC television and radio programme broadcast on the British and international feeds of the BBC News channel, and on the BBC World Service.
 | This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. (November 2021) |
| HARDtalk | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Presented by | Current: Stephen Sackur Zeinab Badawi Sarah Montague Former: Tim Sebastian (1997–2006) |
| Theme music composer | David Lowe |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Production locations | Studio TC7, Television Centre (1997–2012) Studio D, Broadcasting House (2012–2025) |
| Editor | Lisa Baxter |
| Running time | 25 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | 31 March 1997 – present |
| Related | |
| |
Broadcast times and days vary, depending on broadcasting platform and geographic location.[1][2][3] HARDtalk is also available on BBC iPlayer in the UK only[4] and as a podcast via BBC Sounds.[5]
On 15 October 2024, the BBC announced that as part of a series of cuts to its news department, HARDtalk would no longer be broadcast. Host Stephen Sackur said the news was "depressing, for the BBC and all who believe in the importance of independent, rigorous deeply-researched journalism."[6]
Format
HARDtalk provides "in-depth interviews with hard-hitting questions and sensitive topics being covered as famous personalities from all walks of life talk about the highs and lows in their lives."[7]
Presenters and interviewees
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Presenters
HARDtalk is predominantly presented by interviewer Stephen Sackur. Other presenters, include Zeinab Badawi and Sarah Montague.
Tim Sebastian was the original presenter when the programme launched in March 1997.[8][9]
Selected interviewees
HARDtalk has interviewed many public figures of historical significance, including:
- Mahathir Mohamad[10][11]
- Maya Angelou[12]
- Kofi Annan[13]
- Benazir Bhutto[14]
- Hugo Chávez[15]
- Noam Chomsky[16]
- Michael Collins[17]
- F. W. de Klerk[18]
- Recep Tayyip Erdoğan[19]
- William Frankland[20]
- Mikhail Gorbachev[21]
- Bernice King[22]
- Enrico Letta
- Nelson Mandela[23]
- Mira Marković[24]
- Robert Mugabe[25]
- Nadia Murad[26]
- Olusegun Obasanjo[27]
- Teodoro Obiang[28]
- Michel Platini[29]
- Cyril Ramaphosa[30]
- Thein Sein[31]
- Nina Simone[32]
- Hugh Thompson, Jr[33]
- Desmond Tutu[34]
- Roger Waters[35]
Spin-offs
HARDtalk Extra
HARDtalk Extra—a series of "interviews with people from the arts and culture," predominantly presented by Gavin Esler.
Interviewees include: Brenda Blethyn, Robin Gibb, Debbie Harry, Marie Helvin, Grayson Perry, Ian Rankin, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Patrick Swayze.[36][37]
HARDtalk Extra Time
HARDtalk Extra Time—a spin-off of "in-depth interviews with the athletes, coaches, and power brokers in the world of sport."
Among those interviewed by Rob Bonnet, include: Nicola Adams, Roger Bannister, Jonah Lomu, David Rudisha, and Murray Walker.[38][39]
References
External links
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