The presenter Amol Rajan is to leave BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, revealing he will “unleash my inner entrepreneur” by creating a company focusing on the creator economy.
In a surprise announcement, he said he would continue to host the BBC’s University Challenge quizshow and make his Radical podcast with the corporation.
However, he said he wanted to “jump into the great digital Narnia of the creator economy”, in which figures on YouTube, TikTok and other digital channels have transformed the media world, especially among younger users.
“The pips have sounded and it’s time to get my coat,” he said. “Leaving Today might be mad. This team is the best of the best: consistently world class, and exceptionally well led by Owenna Griffiths and Mohit Bakaya. I will always feel like I played in the editorial version of Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, or Steve Waugh’s Australia.
“But Del Boy was my hero growing up and it’s time to unleash my inner entrepreneur. I am very much not leaving the BBC, Britain’s noblest cultural institution, whose Reithian spirit is such a generous gift to a world in flux. It’s that world I’m heading for, and I’m excited.”
It means the BBC has another empty hosting slot for its flagship radio show, which still shapes the political agenda. Mishal Husain left at the end of 2024 and was replaced by Anna Foster.
While the audience for the Today programme has fallen in recent years, with the arrival of podcasts and digital platforms, its audience is still well over 5 million people a week. The figure stood at about 7 million in 2020.
Finding Rajan’s replacement presents another challenge for the BBC, given the high profile and scrutiny that comes with the job.
Rajan’s plan to move into new media follows similar journeys by the likes of Piers Morgan, who is building his own business on YouTube with a series of channels aimed at the US.
Rajan said he was “extremely excited” to build his own company. He said: “I’ll still do Britain’s oldest TV quiz and most exciting podcast. I genuinely couldn’t be prouder of Amol Rajan Interviews, which will stand the test of time. Travelling all around the world (or indeed Essex) to spend so much time with so many icons has been an unforgettable privilege.”
Rajan has already interviewed prominent new media figures on his podcast, including Jordan Schwarzenberger, the manager of Europe’s biggest YouTube group, Sidemen.
Last year, Schwarzenberger told the Guardian that the BBC risked becoming the Titanic of the media world and culturally irrelevant to gen Z unless it embraced a “radical shift” towards reaching young audiences.
John McAndrew, the director of live and daily news at the corporation, said: “Amol’s a huge talent who’s been a fantastic addition to the Today lineup. I’d like to thank him for everything he’s done and I’m delighted he’ll continue presenting for the BBC.
“Amol has brought a real breath of fresh air to Today and we will keep evolving the programme as we continue to refresh the presenting team in the months ahead.”
