Emily Maitlis & Jon Sopel to leave the BBC to join Global

Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel are to leave the BBC to host a new podcast for Global.

The pair will also host a show together on LBC and providing commentary and analysis for the lbc.co.uk website.

Maitlis leaves the BBC as host of Newsnight while Sopel was the corporation’s North America Editor.

They also hosted the BBC’s critically-acclaimed Americast podcast, which explored the state of US politics.

“We are just so delighted to be launching this brand new podcast – which will build on everything we’ve achieved with Americast over the last few years – and it will find new audiences and a new home with Global,” said Emily.

“I couldn’t be more excited.”

The move follows Global’s signing of Andrew Marr, whose LBC show is set to be announced soon.

“I’m delighted to be joining Global with my great friend and colleague, Emily Maitlis. We’ve been blown away by the reception for Americast, and are so excited that Global has given us the opportunity to build on this success by creating this innovative news podcast,” said Jon.

“This is an unmissable opportunity.”

Full details of Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel’s daily podcast will be announced later in the year.