Calling Peston

Robert Peston has been covering British politics for decades, first as BBC Business Editor and now as ITV's Political Editor, and Calling Peston gives him a weekly hour to do the kind of unhurried political analysis that television rarely allows. Co-hosted with ITV News political correspondent Anushka Asthana, the show lands every Thursday and usually runs 45-60 minutes. The format is part interview, part panel discussion. Peston and Asthana typically bring in a senior politician or commentator to unpack what has happened that week at Westminster, and the conversations tend to get into the weeds of how policy actually works rather than just trading talking points. Peston's particular strength is connecting economics to politics -- his background as a business journalist means he can explain why a fiscal decision matters in ways that most political reporters cannot. The show has built up close to 99 episodes and has become a reliable weekly fixture for people who want serious Westminster analysis without the theatrical hot takes. Asthana is a skilled interviewer in her own right, and the chemistry between the two hosts works well. Guests over the years have ranged from cabinet ministers to shadow frontbenchers to Bank of England figures. If you already watch Peston's Wednesday night show on ITV, this is the natural audio companion. And if you do not, it still stands on its own as one of the more thoughtful political podcasts produced by a major UK broadcaster.