More of The News Agents. Just without the ads.

  • The News Agents Plus launches today, giving subscribers ad-free episodes with Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall
  • Exclusive new content includes a weekly subscriber Q&A, subscriber newsletter and a new monthly series, Moments That Changed The World 
  • Launch follows more than 2.3 million audio downloads and YouTube views for The News Agents and The News Agents USA’s US midterms episodes since 2 November
  • Subscription costs £5.99 a month or £59.99 a year, giving subscribers access to both The News Agents and The News Agents USA Plus content 
  • Available on Global Player, YouTube and Apple Podcasts
  • The News Agents unveils a fresh new look with updated artwork and logo
  • James O’Brien Plus also launches on Apple Podcasts today, alongside its existing availability on Global Player and YouTube

Global today (Monday 9 November) launches The News Agents Plus, giving subscribers ad-free episodes, a weekly subscriber Q&A and exclusive new content from Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall.

A weekly subscriber Q&A gives listeners the chance to put their questions directly to Emily, Jon and Lewis. Subscribers will also get Moments That Changed The World, a new monthly series in which Jon and Lewis revisit defining events that continue to shape our politics and culture. From the fall of the Berlin Wall to the 2008 financial crash and the killing of Osama bin Laden, they explore how the past shapes our world today. The News Agents Plus will also include an exclusive subscriber newsletter.

The award-winning daily news podcast also unveils a fresh new look. It’s the first time the artwork has changed since the podcast burst on to the scene in 2022, shooting straight to the top of the charts and establishing itself as the UK’s most popular daily news podcast.

The launch follows huge audience numbers for The News Agents and The News Agents USA’s coverage of the US midterms. Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel broadcast from the nation’s capital, Washington DC across the week – alongside their new The News Agents USA co-host Miles Taylor – with Lewis Goodall reporting from Texas following one of the most hotly contested Senate races. Episodes published from 2 – 6 November have generated more than 2.3 million audio downloads and YouTube views. Social video clips have attracted a further 26.1 million views across Instagram, Facebook, YouTube Shorts and TikTok. On election night The News Agents joined forces with LBC to livestream coverage of the US midterms.

The News Agents Plus joins Global’s existing podcast subscriptions, including:

Subscribers can listen without ads and access exclusive bonus content from selected shows. James O’Brien subscribers can put questions to him in Ask James Anything and hear his reactions to memorable LBC moments in James Reacts. The Crime Agents subscribers receive a monthly examination of landmark criminal cases.

Podcast subscriptions start from £4.99 a month or £49.99 a year. The News Agents Plus costs £5.99 a month or £59.99 a year.

“Emily, Jon, Lewis and Miles’ agenda-setting coverage of the US midterms shows why The News Agents and The News Agents USA have become essential listening. The News Agents Plus now gives subscribers ad-free episodes, the chance to put their questions directly to the team each week and a new monthly series Moments That Changed The World for their take on news stories that defined our world. It’s an exciting new chapter for the show.”
Simon Pitts, Group CEO of Global

Global Player subscribers to The News Agents Plus and James O’Brien Plus can now connect their subscription to Apple Podcasts and enjoy their subscriber benefits in the Apple Podcasts app, giving them more choice over where they listen to their favourite podcast.

Plus is Global’s subscription offering across radio, podcasts and YouTube. Radio Plus launched in September, offering more choice for audiences, with commercial breaks replaced by more music across its UK music radio portfolio – the same great live radio. Just without the ads.