Comcast‘s NBC Information and Sky Information are becoming a member of forces to launch The World With Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim, a brand new weekly world affairs podcast that may “mix eyewitness reporting from the entrance line of the world’s most hazardous areas with in-depth evaluation and dialog with among the most essential and influential figures on the worldwide stage.”

The brand new present will leverage the information experience, attain and large names of the key U.S. and U.Okay. information manufacturers which were beneath the Comcast umbrella because the media, leisure, telecom and expertise big’s 2018 acquisition of European media and tech powerhouse Sky.

Engel is the chief international correspondent for NBC Information, whereas Hakim is the lead world information presenter for Sky Information. New episodes can be accessible each Wednesday from Oct. 9 wherever you get your podcasts.

“Properly-known to information audiences for his or her brave protection of scorching zones throughout the globe, they’ve recognized one another as pleasant opponents over the course of their award-winning careers,” Sky and NBC mentioned. “Now beneath one roof at sister information organizations, they’ll come collectively every week to supply audiences a considerate take a look at our world’s most advanced points, as they offer listeners the complete story, on the folks shaping world occasions.”

Their purpose: to supply listeners “a front-row seat to essentially the most urgent problems with our time.”

Hakim mentioned she was “thrilled to be partnering with my pal Richard Engel, some of the proficient international correspondents of our time, on an thrilling new undertaking to assist make sense of our world.” She added: “This can be a second of intensifying battle and polarization. At instances, it feels as if the concept of fact itself is vanishing, particularly as expertise makes it ever harder to inform the distinction between what’s actual and what’s pretend, and as mistrust between and inside societies grows. I hope subsequently this podcast can function a type of port within the storm.”

Engel mentioned that the launch of the podcast comes at a vital time. “We’re within the midst of protecting conflicts which have ripple results throughout the globe. I can’t consider a greater individual than Yalda Hakim to discover these advanced occasions with and delve into among the most essential points,” he mentioned. “She’s an unbelievable reporter, caring, hard-working and curious. Collectively, we’ll be speaking to fascinating folks about fascinating and essential topics which have made us witnesses to historical past.”

The inspiration for the podcast goes again to 2 key experiences of the hosts, Sky and NBC Information mentioned. In 2007, Engel was invited to the White Home for a personal one-on-one assembly with President George W. Bush to debate Iraq and Center East coverage. “It was Richard’s means to be within the thick of the preventing whereas on the similar time present quick, correct and wide-reaching evaluation of what was taking place that the president,” they mentioned.

In the meantime, in 2021, instantly previous to the autumn of Kabul, Hakim obtained a name from the Taliban stay on air. “In a world unique, the spokesman assured Hakim that nobody within the metropolis can be harmed by their troops after they entered the town,” in response to the information organizations. “It was an episode that highlighted that Yalda is without doubt one of the best-connected and well-respected journalists within the enterprise — and the present can be drawing on her intensive contacts ebook to offer most educated and high-profile friends.”

NBC Information and Sky Information are concentrating on a world viewers with the brand new podcast. “We’re proud to companion with Sky Information in bringing collectively these world-class journalists on one program that’s accessible to audiences all over the place,” emphasised David Verdi, government vp, world newsgathering at NBC Information.

“These delicate instances name for extra perception and evaluation — and that’s precisely the journalism that Yalda Hakim and Richard Engel can present,” added David Rhodes, government chairman, Sky Information Group. “For greater than 5 years now, Sky Information and NBC Information have been beneath the identical company umbrella.  Yalda and Richard’s collaboration will show the worldwide capabilities of that partnership: bringing the complete story, first, to audiences around the globe.”