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| 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 (1997-03-31) – 26 March 2025 (2025-03-26) |
| Related | |
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HARDtalk is aBBCtelevision andradio programme which was broadcast on theBritish andinternational feeds of theBBC News channel, and on theBBC World Service, from 31 March 1997 to 26 March 2025.
Broadcast times and days vary, depending on broadcasting platform andgeographic location.[1][2][3]HARDtalk is also available onBBC iPlayer in the UK only[4] and as a podcast viaBBC 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, along with the tech review showClick. HostStephen Sackur said the news was "depressing" [for the future of in-depth interviews that] "hold to account those who all too often avoid accountability in their own countries".[6] The programme aired its final episode on television on 26 March 2025[7] while its last radio episode was aired two days later on 28 March.[8] The radio version was succeeded by a similar programme titledThe Interview.
HARDtalk provided "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."[9]
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Tim Sebastian was the original presenter ofHARDtalk when the programme launched in March 1997.[10] He hosted the show till March 2007.[11]From 2007 until its cancellation,HARDtalk was predominantlypresented by interviewerStephen Sackur, who joined in 2006. Other presenters includedZeinab Badawi andSarah Montague.[10][12]
HARDtalk has interviewed manypublic figures ofhistorical significance, including:
HARDtalk Extra—a series of "interviews with people fromthe arts andculture," predominantly presented byGavin Esler.
Interviewees include:Brenda Blethyn,Robin Gibb,Debbie Harry,Marie Helvin,Grayson Perry,Ian Rankin,Kristin Scott Thomas, andPatrick Swayze.[39][40]
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 byRob Bonnet, include:Nicola Adams,Roger Bannister,Jonah Lomu,David Rudisha, andMurray Walker.[41][42]
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