Click (TV programme)

Format

Each episode was introduced by Spencer Kelly and Lara Lewington and featured reports on technology developments worldwide from BBC contributors. Subjects included consumer technologies, social impact of emerging tech, video games, and mobile innovations. Later shows included a "Week in Tech" segment. The programme previously had a closing segment called Webscape, hosted by Kate Russell, recommending websites; this was dropped, but Russell continued reporting.

Different editions existed: two 30-minute versions for the UK feed of BBC News, a global edition for the international feed, a 15-minute version for BBC One and UK feed during BBC Breakfast, and a four-minute version for BBC World News. A sister radio show, Digital Planet, aired on BBC World Service until March 2023, presented by Gareth Mitchell with contributors. A Persian version, BBC Persian Click, was presented by Nima Akbarpour, and local versions in languages including Tamil launched from Autumn 2018.

History

The show began as Click Online in April 2000, hosted by Stephen Cole, focusing on the rise of the Internet. The last edition under that name aired on 29 December 2005, with Cole departing after 295 shows. The programme was renamed Click, with new music and titles, and Spencer Kelly, a former reporter and producer, became host. From April 2020, Lara Lewington became co-host.

Episode 774 was the first programme shot and edited entirely on mobile devices. The 12 March 2016 episode (#827) was the first entire TV episode broadcast in 360 degrees. The 1000th episode on 6 July 2019 was interactive, letting viewers choose what to watch next. In March 2021, the BBC announced the technology department, including Click, would relocate to Pacific Quay in Glasgow; new episodes paused in April 2022 for the move, with the first Glasgow-produced episode airing on 7 May 2022.

In 2009, the show sparked controversy by buying control of a botnet of 22,000 infected computers from a Russian hacker, using it to send spam and perform a DDoS attack on a website set up by Prevx; after the programme, the computers were sent removal software and a warning.

Presenters and reporters

Over the years, the Click team has featured a rotating cast of reporters, including LJ Rich, Paul Carter, Marc Cieslak, Zoe Kleinman, Nick Kwek, Shiona McCallum, Alasdair Keane, and Kitty Knowles. Past reporters include Dan Simmons, Omar Mehtab, Jen Copestake, and Chris Fox. Former presenter Stephen Cole left the BBC for Al Jazeera International, while Kate Russell departed in August 2020 after 14 years. Other BBC journalists have also occasionally presented segments.